Stevensville School District                                                                                                        

 STUDENTS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Student Use of Buildings: Equal Access

Informal groups of students not previously recognized as school sponsored and approved groups under Policy 3510 or 3550 may gather on school premises under the following guidelines without restriction on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the meeting. Students wishing to form school sponsored and approved groups recognized by the school administration may do so in accordance with policy 3510 or 3550.

The following guidelines must be met:

  1. The meeting is voluntary and student-initiated.
  1. There is no sponsorship of the meeting by the school district, or its agents or employees.
  1. The meeting must occur during non-instructional time on regular school days.
  1. Employees or agents of the school district are present only in a capacity outside of their official duties.
  1. The meeting does not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school.
  1. Non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend activities.

Although the school assumes no sponsorship of these kinds of meetings, all meetings held on school premises must be scheduled and approved by the principal.

This policy pertains to student meetings. The school has the authority, through its agent or employees, to maintain order and discipline on school premises and to protect the well-being of students and faculty.

Cross Reference:
Policy 3510 School Sponsored Activities
Policy 3222 Distribution and Posting Materials
Policy 4331 Use of School Property for Posting Notices

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. 4071 Equal Access Act
Board of Education v. Mergens, 110 S.Ct. 2356 (1990)

Policy History:
Adopted on: December 2001
Reviewed on: June 8, 2021; January 11, 2022
Revised on: April 10, 2012; July 28, 2021; February 8, 2022