Sioux Valley School District - Home of the Cossacks

The School Board hereby establishes a limited open forum during which all non-curriculum related student groups shall have equal access and a fair opportunity to conduct meetings. No group shall be discriminated against or denied access on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical or other content of speech at such meetings. Groups shall not be considered school-sponsored student organizations nor be given all the privileges afforded to school-sponsored organizations.

The time between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. on days during which classes are in session shall be set aside for a limited forum.

Access to Limited Open Forum

Students in grades 7-12 shall be permitted to organize and conduct meetings of non-curriculum related student clubs or other groups to pursue specialized activities outside the classroom. Meetings shall be voluntary and student initiated.

Students may conduct meetings under this policy on school premises only during non-instructional time so that meetings do not interfere with the orderly conduct of the education activities of the school.

Non-curriculum related student groups that desire to conduct meetings during the limited open forum shall make and request, in writing, to the building Principal or administrator in charge, to conduct a meeting during the open forum. The request shall include an estimate of the number of students expected to be in attendance at the meeting, dates, and any special equipment needed. The number of students will be limited to the safe capacity of the room used.

Upon receipt of such a request, the Principal or administrator in charge shall try to find a suitable room for the group and arrange for proper supervision of the meeting by an agent or employee of the school district.

Students meeting during the limited forum shall not engage in any activity that is illegal, dangerous or disruptive to other activities. Failure to abide by this could lead to discipline measures and the denial of access to the group to the limited open forum.

Regulation of Limited Open Forum

No public funds shall be spent for the benefit of non-curricular related student groups meeting during the limited open forum beyond the cost of providing space for meetings.

Neither the school district nor its agents nor employees shall promote, lead or participate in any meeting except in a supervisory capacity.

No school agent or employee shall be compelled to supervise a meeting of a non-curriculum related student group if the content of the speech at the meeting is contrary to beliefs of the agent or employee.

Non-school persons may attend student meetings, but are not allowed to direct, conduct or control activities of non-curriculum related student groups during the limited open forum.

Non-school persons can be denied access to school district property if their behavior is, or reasonably threatens to be, illegal, dangerous or disruptive to other activities.

Meetings of non-curricular student groups must be scheduled, organized and conducted within the guidelines established by this policy and accompanying regulations

The administration shall adopt additional rules as deemed necessary.