Student Speakers in Classrooms and at Events Not Open to the Public

Students may be requested or required to speak on a variety of issues in the classroom, in curricular-related events, at assemblies, at performances and in other forums that are not open to the general public. In those situations, the district maintains a closed forum, and students are expected to follow the directions of district staff. Student speech must be respectful and conform to district policies and procedures and building and classroom rules.

Student Speakers at Public Events

Students may be invited to speak at public events, including assemblies and graduation celebrations, that are open to the general public. In general, district events are considered a closed forum; however, when students speak at public events, the district will consider the student's speech to be presented in a limited public forum, as required by law. In addition, particular events may have more specific purposes directly related to the event. The district is under no obligation to expand the forum or create a new forum to include students other than those invited to speak in accordance with this policy.

A student speaker may be required to submit a copy of his or her presentation for the purpose of determining whether it meets the intended purpose of the event and otherwise satisfies the rules established in this policy and other policies and procedures.

Students will not be disciplined based on the viewpoint expressed, including religious viewpoints, for otherwise permissible speech. If, in the opinion of the school official supervising the event, the student's speech is in violation of this policy or other district policies and procedures, the official may require the student to stop speaking, and the student may be disciplined or directed to modify his or her speech appropriately.

In accordance with law, the following disclaimer shall be read aloud and/or printed on any written materials distributed at graduation: "Student speakers are speaking as individuals, and their speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position or expression of the district." The district will also provide this disclaimer at any other public district event at which a student speaks if the district considers it necessary to clarify to the audience that the student does not speak on behalf of the district.

Selection of Student Speakers at Public Events

It is a privilege for students to be allowed to speak at district-sponsored public events. All student speakers must be in good standing with the district, as defined by the district, in order to be eligible to speak.

Student speakers at public district events will be selected based on viewpoint-neutral criteria in accordance with law including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Graduation Speakers – Any senior student may audition to speak at Graduation speakers will be chosen by a selection committee. The selection committee will consist of a panel of educators.
   • Poems and speeches will be judged based on theme (appropriate for the topic of graduation), the ability to speak clearly, enunciation, use of correct grammar and
   • Poems and speeches that contain obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd or indecent speech will be
2. Selection Process:
   • Students will write an original poem on the topic of Poems will be collected by the English department and turned in to the office to be judged.
   • Students interested in auditioning for a speaking role must write an original speech over a theme selected from the Students will present their speeches to the office in both written and recorded forms for judging.
   • Once the graduation speeches are selected, students with the next three highest scores will be chosen for introduction of the superintendent, School Board president and high school
3. Student speakers for other public district or school events are limited to:
   • Student government officers or
   • Club and organization
   • Team
   • Students who have received a particular honor or award, such as success at a state or national
   • Students selected by a random drawing from a pool of volunteers.
4. The superintendent or designee may allow a student who does not meet the above criteria to speak at public school or district events upon the recommendation of a district employee. Approval will not be given unless the employee recommending the student articulates an alternative neutral criteria used to select the student.

These selection criteria are not required for students who are speaking as part of a school- or district- sponsored event when the student's speech is scripted or where a staff member specifically directs the students in what to say.