Olympia

In addition to other rights established by law, each student served by, or on behalf of, the District shall possess the following substantive rights, and the District shall not limit these rights except for good and sufficient cause.

Freedom of Speech and Assembly

1. Students are entitled to express orally their personal opinions. Such expression shall not interfere with the rights of others. The use of obscenities or personal attacks is prohibited.
2. All student meetings in school buildings, or on school grounds, may function only as a part of the formal educational process or as authorized by the principal or District policy.
3. Students have the freedom to assemble peacefully. There is an appropriate time and place for the expression of opinions and beliefs. Conducting demonstrations which interfere with the operation of the school or classroom is inappropriate and prohibited.

Freedom to Publish

Students are entitled to express in writing their personal opinions. The distribution of such material may not interfere with or disrupt the educational process or infringe upon the rights of others. Such written expressions must be signed by the authors.

Students who edit, publish or distribute within the schools handwritten, printed or duplicated material which has not been authorized by or produced under the supervision of school personnel, must assume the responsibility for the content of such publications.

Students who edit, publish or distribute handwritten, printed or duplicated material which has been authorized by and approved by school personnel shall be subject to the reasonable rules and regulations governing such materials.

Libel, obscenity and personal attacks are prohibited in all school authorized publications. The judgment of school personnel shall be followed in the determination of whether proposed materials would be libelous or obscene or would constitute personal attack. Unauthorized sale or solicitation in connection with commercial publications shall not be permitted on school property.

Right of Privacy

The schools must respect students’ right of privacy; at the same time, school authorities must protect the health and safety of all students and promote the effective operation of the schools. The following guidelines shall be observed to assure optimum privacy of individuals and the safety and welfare of all students.

1. A student shall be free from searches by school officials of his/her clothing and other personal property unless there is reasonable cause to believe that something is concealed that may be of immediate danger to the student or to other students. School officials may request a student to remove all items from pockets or other personal effects. Failing compliance by the student and in the absence of immediate danger, the school officials shall refrain from searches and shall call in the parents/legal guardians or, in the case of possible criminal activity, the police.
2. Student lockers remain the property of the District and school officials have the right, authority and responsibility to inspect lockers. However, school authorities shall inspect student lockers in the absence of students only when:
   1. It occurs as part of a general inspection of all lockers for the purpose of returning school property such as library books. In such cases the personal belongings of students within lockers shall not be searched; or
   2. School authorities have reasonable cause to believe that conditions or circumstances exist which threaten the health or safety of those in the school.
3. When school authorities have reasonable cause to believe that items are concealed in a school locker which violate school rules or the law, they shall inspect the locker. Such inspection shall be made in the presence of the student. If the student refuses to reveal the contents of his/her personal belongings within the locker, his/her parents/legal guardians shall be called. If the student cannot be located and if there is reason to believe that a danger may exist, school officials, police or other authorities may search the locker.