Policy 9030 Implementation Procedures - School-Sponsored Publications and Productions

Decisions regarding the content of any school-sponsored publications or productions rest with the editor(s)/student leaders and associated advisors/sponsors of the publication or production, subject to the authority of the principal/designee.

The author’s name will be required on each communication submitted for publication. It is the responsibility of the editor and advisor/sponsor as to the form and method by which an author is identified.

School-sponsored publications and productions may obtain financial sponsorship to supplement the funds provided by Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). The advisor/sponsor and principal/designee are responsible for ensuring that expenses are covered in the budget.

The school will strive to provide equal opportunities for all students to participate in or make contributions to school-sponsored publications and productions.

Advertising must be identifiable or labeled as an "advertisement."

Advertising must be submitted under the name(s) of the individual(s), the name of the business or, in the case of unincorporated associations, organizations, or school clubs, the names of the officers sponsoring the advertisement.

Use of advertisements containing company trademarks or the names and/or pictures of persons who are not public figures must be authorized by the appropriate representative of the company or individual/organization.

When practical, such as when advertisements appear in a separate section of the publication, the section will be preceded with a statement indicating that the advertising does not reflect the viewpoints or policies of the editors, the school, the HCPSS, or the Board of Education.

The school system, through the HCPSS administrators, reserves the right to disapprove part or all of a school-sponsored publication’s or production’s advertisement if the content or activity might reasonably be perceived to advocate intolerance or illegal or prohibited activities, including alcohol, drug, or tobacco use, violence, and discrimination.

A student who disagrees with a decision of an advisor/sponsor related to the content or other aspects of a publication may appeal the decision to the principal/designee within two (2) school days.

The principal/designee will meet with the student within two (2) school days of receipt of the request. The principal/designee will have two (2) school days after meeting with the student to render a written decision. The principal will solicit input from stakeholders as part of the decision-making process.

If the principal does not provide a decision within two (2) school days of meeting with the student, or if the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the principal/designee, then the student may appeal in writing to the appropriate Community Superintendent/Director of Schools within two (2) school days.

The Community Superintendent/Director of Schools will respond to the student appeal in writing within two (2) school days of receipt of the appeal. Any further appeal is subject to Section 4-205 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.