Distribution and Display by Non-Students
The following agencies and organizations are permitted to distribute or display educational information or information about programs and activities of interest to students:
a. local, state and federal government agencies and departments;
b. non-profit* organizations that offer educational, recreational, cultural or character development activities or programs for school-aged children, including but not limited to scouts, YMCA or YWCA, organized youth sport leagues, etc.);
c. school/business partnerships or incentive programs that directly enhance or support the school's educational program; and
d. community colleges, universities, and other non-profit institutions of higher education.
*Moore County Schools uses the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations, as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, to verify an organizations non-profit status. Non-profit entities need to include their organization name or EIN that can be found in the tax-exempt database or their request will be denied.
Distribution and Display Standards for Non-School Materials
Per
Board Policy 5210, s
chool officials shall apply the following standards:
1. While materials will not be screened for viewpoint, the reviewer shall prohibit the distribution or display of any publication or material that (a) is vulgar, indecent or obscene; (b) contains libelous statements, personal attacks or abusive language such as language defaming a person's character, race, religion, ethnic origin, sex, family status, or disability; (c) causes or clearly threatens to cause a material and substantial disruption of a school activity; (d) encourages the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations; (e) is inappropriate considering the age of the students in the school; (f) contains information that is inaccurate, misleading or false; or (g) advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law.
2. The distribution of non-school material must not interfere with instructional time.
3. Non-school publications and materials distributed or displayed to students must* be clearly identified, through the method of distribution or otherwise, as non-school materials that are neither endorsed nor necessarily reflective of the views of the School Board or the school system.
*The non-school material needs to include the following disclaimer in a reable font and at least 12pt sized: NON-SCHOOL MATERIALS ARE NEITHER ENDORSED BY NOR NECESSARILY REFLECTIVE OF THE VIEWS OF THE MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OR MOORE COUNTY SCHOOLS.
4. In order to minimize disruption to the learning environment, political campaign materials may not be distributed to students or employees (including through employee mailboxes and e-mail) or made available on school grounds during school time or at school events. However, on election days, posters and printed materials are permitted for viewing and distribution to the public at school buildings used as polling places in accordance with state law and Board of Elections requirements.
Note: Materials from for-profit businesses that advertise services or products will not be approved, posted online, or distributed to schools.
Procedures for Requesting Distribution or Display of Non-School Materials
1. Any individual or organization wishing to distribute or display non-school-sponsored publications or materials must first submit for approval a copy of the publication or material to the principal or Superintendent or designee at least five school days in advance of the distribution or display time, along with the following information: (a) the name and phone number of the individual submitting the request; (b) the date(s) and time(s) of day of intended distribution or display; (c) the desired location for distribution or display of material; and (d) if the distribution or display is intended for students, the grade(s) of students for whom the distribution or display is intended.
2. Within five school days, the principal or Superintendent or designee shall review the request and render a decision. In the event permission to distribute or display the material is denied or restricted, the individual submitting the request will be informed in writing of the reasons for the denial or restriction.
3. Any request denied or restricted by the principal or Superintendent or designee may be appealed in writing to the Superintendent or designee or Board, depending on who made the initial decision. If the principal made the initial decision, the Superintendent or designee shall review the decision and render a decision within 10 school days. Any request denied by the Superintendent or designee may be appealed to the Board. The Board will review the request at its next regularly scheduled meeting. As appropriate, the Superintendent or the Board will consult with the Board Attorney concerning a request to distribute or display non-school literature.
4. Permission or denial of permission to distribute or display material does not imply approval or disapproval of its contents by school system administrators, the School Board or the individual reviewing the material submitted.
Moore County Schools uses the following procedures when receiving a non-school material request:
Review and Decision Process: The Chief Communications Officer (for requests including more than one school) or the School Principal (if request is only for distribution at one school) will review the submission within five school days and render a decision. If a request is denied or restricted, reasons will be provided in writing.
Distribution Responsibility: Approved flyers must be printed and delivered by the requesting organization to the designated school's front office, separated into stacks of 25 per grade level. Contact the school's front office for precise student counts or use the student count from Day 20 as an estimate.
Distribution Note: MCS does not guarantee that the flyers will be distributed individually to the students, especially if that effort would interfere with instructional time.
Contact Information: For approval, contact the school principal or the Chief Communications Officer.
Further Information: Please refer to Board Policy 5210 DISTRIBUTION AND DISPLAY OF NON-SCHOOL MATERIAL