Student freedom of expression policy in Olympia Schools ‘must be expedited’

The Olympia School District (OSD) board examined the drafted policies regarding Freedom of Expression among student publications during their hybrid regular board meeting on August 11.

“The free expression of student opinion is an important part of education in a democratic society, and so teaching students to be responsible with that is basically where this policy takes us. The students are responsible for getting that [news] out there and just helping them do it in a responsible way so it doesn't cause a disruption to the educational process,” said Olympia School Board Vice President Darcy Huffman.

The drafted Freedom of Expression Policy 3220 Section 3000 (Students) states that the district encourages students to express themselves verbally and in writing on school grounds as long as it does not significantly disrupt school operations or otherwise violate policy.

Other board members also affirmed the draft, stating that this policy must be expedited because it is supposed to be in place and the district still does not have it.

School Board President Maria Flores supported the policy, saying, “I applaud this. I think this is something that not only our school board wants, but also our students, teachers, and parents so that we have some guidance when it comes to our students who are working towards working in journalism and really just our students in general.”

Boundaries

The guidelines also prohibit students from using vulgar and/or offensive terms in the classroom or during assemblies.

The draft also mentions that while content appearing in student publications may reflect controversial or divisive issues, student publications should strive to represent a range of viewpoints and must not:

• Be libelous or slanderous;
• Be an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
• Be obscene or profane, such that it would violate federal or state laws, rules or regulations or incites others to violate federal or state laws, rules or regulations, including the standards established by the federal communications act or applicable federal communication commission rules or regulations;
• Incite students so as to create a clear and present danger of the material and substantial disruption of the school;
• Violate district policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or related to the prohibition on discrimination pursuant to RCW 28A.642.010.
• Violate federal or state laws, rules, regulations, or incite the violation of such laws;
• Advertise tobacco products, liquor, illicit drugs, or drug paraphernalia.

The Freedom of Expression policy was classified as essential and is planned to be adopted sometime in August 2022 before the fall.