Avery County Schools Policy Policy Code: 3630

STUDENT INITIATED NON-CURRICULUM-RELATED STUDENT GROUPS

Student-initiated non-curriculum-related groups shall be permitted to conduct voluntary meetings on school grounds during non-instructional time (before the school day begins for students and after the school day ends for students) regardless of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings, provided that the meetings do not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of the educational activities within the school and are not in any other way unlawful.

School employees may be present at meetings but shall not promote, lead or participate in the meetings of these student-initiated, non-curricular groups; however, a school employee may be present at the meetings to maintain order and discipline and to protect the general welfare of students and faculty. School employees may not influence the form or content of any prayer or other religious activity nor require a person to participate in prayer or other religious activity at such meetings. In addition, non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control or regularly attend the activities of such non-curricular student groups.

No public funds may be expended on behalf of the student groups covered by this policy except for the incidental cost of providing space for the group meetings.

Students seeking to establish a voluntary non-curricular group shall seek approval by application from the principal of their particular school. Application must be made annually before September 15.

Legal Reference: The Equal Access Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-377)

Cross Reference:

Adopted: 5-15-86

Revised: 12-6-93; 3/3/08

Avery County Schools Policy Code: 3630 Page 1 of 1