Policy 10010 Implementation Procedures - Distribution and Display of Materials and Announcements

An organization is approved to submit information for distribution to students, parents, or the community via print or electronic format, if the requesting organization is:

Non-profit organizations requesting distribution of material will submit proof of non-profit status to the Public Information Office in the form of a letter from the IRS.

The Public Information Office will maintain a current list of approved non-profit organizations for online access by schools.

The Public Information Office will provide the procedures governing the distribution of information or materials to the organization at the time that the distribution request is approved.

Announcements, flyers, and other materials from approved community organizations, groups, or agencies will not be disseminated through school or system communication channels or to or through students without prior written approval in accordance with these procedures.

The distribution of announcements or other materials from approved organizations will be approved provided that such distribution is in accordance with this policy and procedures. However, the HCPSS retains the right to deny such distribution if the content could reasonably be predicted to cause a substantial disruption to or a material interference with the normal operation of the school or school activities.

Requests for distribution, including the content of announcements, flyers, or other materials will be submitted to the Public Information Office at least two weeks in advance of the intended dissemination date.

Schools may include a link to the HCPSS Community News and Programs web page.

In rare instances when printed materials are distributed on a limited basis, the school administrator will identify the number of printed copies required through the Public Information Office.

HCPSS will inform parents annually regarding the distribution of information from community organizations, groups and agencies and their option to not receive this information.

Parents who exercise this option will continue to receive information from the school system; their local school; the school’s PTA, PTSAs, and booster clubs; federal, state, and local government agencies only. They will not receive printed information from any other community organizations, groups or agencies.

Students will not be pressured or coerced to take or respond to announcements, flyers or other materials.

Three (3) copies of the materials or announcements will be given to the principal/designee five (5) school days prior to the requested distribution date.

The materials or announcements will bear the name of the sponsoring organization or individual(s) when applicable.

Materials or announcements distributed in schools will not include content that:

Materials or announcements will not be sold on school property.

A decision regarding distribution of the information will be rendered by the principal/designee within five (5) school days.

To aid in the decision, the principal may solicit input from a representative, group of faculty, parents, students, or other stakeholders.

If the principal/designee approves the material or announcement for dissemination, the principal/designee will notify the student(s) in writing who submitted the information that it may be distributed and establish a time, place, and manner for distribution.

If, in the opinion of the principal/designee, the information contains any of the content specified in Section II.A.3., the principal/designee will notify the student(s) who submitted the material or announcement that it may not be distributed on school property, citing in writing the specific reasons for the decision.

The principal/designee’s decision concerning distribution will be attached to each of the three copies of the materials or announcements.

If the principal/designee makes no decision within the prescribed time, the material or announcement will be considered approved.

Any appeal of a principal/designee’s denial of a request to distribute information will be made to the Community Superintendent/Performance, Equity and Community Response Director within five (5) school days of the denial. The Community Superintendent’s/Performance, Equity and Community Response Director’s decision will be forwarded to the appellant in writing within two (2) school days after receipt of the appeal.

Any appeal following the Community Superintendent’s/Performance, Equity and Community Response Director’s denial of a request to distribute information will be made to the Superintendent of Schools within five (5) school days of the denial. The decision of the Superintendent of Schools will be forwarded to the appellant within two (2) school days.

Further right of appeal is governed by Section 4-205 of the Education Article of The Annotated Code of Maryland.