Staff Policies

I. STATEMENT OF POLICY

Freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of any institution committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching students these values, both by lesson and by example.

As determined by the courts, student exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom is protected by both state and federal law, especially by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Accordingly, school officials are responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of expression and press freedom for all students.

Conroe Independent School District’s School Board Policy declares that “all publications edited, published, and distributed in print or electronically in the name of the District or an individual campus shall be under the control of the campus and District administration and the Board. All school-sponsored publications approved by a principal and published by students at an individual campus shall be part of the instructional program, under the supervision of a faculty sponsor.” (FMA Local)

CISD clarifies in FMA Legal:

“The District’s educators shall exercise editorial control over style and content of student speech in school-sponsored expressive activities so long as their actions are reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns. The District may refuse to disseminate or sponsor student speech that:

– Would substantially interfere with the work of the school.
– Impinges on the rights of other students.
– Is vulgar or profane.
– Might reasonably be perceived to advocate drug or alcohol use, irresponsible sex, or conduct otherwise inconsistent with the shared values of a civilized social order.
– Is inappropriate for the level of maturity of the readers.
– Does not meet the standards of the educators who supervise the production of the publication.
– Associates the school with any position other than neutrality on matters of political controversy.
(Hazelwood Sch. Dist. v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 108 S. Ct. 562 (1988))”

As an organization, TWHS Newspaper courses and Journalism 1 courses and have traditionally operated as a public forum for student expression and as voices in the uninhibited, robust, free and open discussion of issues (except as noted within). Content in student media should reflect all areas of student interest, including topics about which there may be dissent or controversy.