The Aberdeen school district regards student clubs and organizations as an important part of the education and development of students.
DEFINITIONS
As used in this policy:
“Academic clubs” shall mean clubs associated with a particular academic course or subject area offered in the high school. Such clubs are open to all students wishing to participate, and are held at times outside the regular classroom day on a voluntary basis for those wishing participation. Such clubs may sponsor activities to supplement the existing class course work. Such activities will be held at times when school is not regularly in session. Participation in such clubs is voluntary and is not permitted to take time out of the regular classroom for organization or implementation of any activities.
“Club” shall mean a sponsored club or a non-sponsored or non-curriculum group of students of the school who wish to organize and meet to form common goals, objectives, or purposes, but do not include school activities.
“Fraternities, sororities and secret societies” shall mean those organizations whose active memberships are comprised in whole or in part of enrolled students, who are selected on the basis of the decision of the organizations’ membership rather than on the basis of the right of any qualified student to be a member.
“Limited open forum” shall mean a public secondary school that grants an offering to or opportunity for one or more non-curriculum related student groups to meet on school premises during non-instructional time.
“Non-sponsored or non-curriculum club” shall mean a student initiated club which is not under the sponsorship, direction or control of the school or any student initiated club that does not directly relate to the body of courses offered by the school.
“Non-participating capacity” shall mean a person, including a sponsor or monitor, who does not promote, lead or participate in any meeting.
“School” shall mean any school in the Aberdeen school district.
“Sponsored club” shall mean a club which is directly under the sponsorship, direction and control of the school.
“Sports club” shall mean a club comprised of students within the school who participate in non-Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) competitions or activities. Students are not permitted to miss school to participate as may be accorded IHSAA sponsored activities.
“Vocational club” shall mean a club associated with a district vocational program.
CLOSED FORUM
The board of trustees of this district has established the schools as a closed forum. As a result, non-curriculum related student groups are not permitted to meet on school premises at any time.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. §§4071 – 4074
Idaho Code §33-1901 et seq. (Fraternities, Sororities and Secret Societies Prohibited in Elementary and Secondary Schools)
ADOPTED: January 20, 2021
AMENDED: