6:80 Teaching About Controversial Issues
The Superintendent shall ensure that all school-sponsored presentations and discussions of controversial or sensitive topics in the instructional program, including those made by guest speakers, are:
• Age-appropriate. Proper decorum, considering the students’ ages, should be followed.
• Consistent with the curriculum and serve an education purpose.
• Informative and present a balanced view.
• Respectful of the rights and opinions of everyone. Emotional criticisms and hurtful sarcasm should be avoided.
• Not tolerant of profanity or slander.
The District specifically reserves its right to stop any school-sponsored activity that it determines violates this policy, is harmful to the District or the students, or violates State or federal law.
LEGAL REF: Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006).
Mayer v. Monroe Cnty, Cmty, Sch. Corp., 474 F.3d 477 (7th Cir. 2007).
CROSS REF.: 6:40 (Curriculum Development), 6:255 (Assemblies and Ceremonies)
ADOPTED: November 22, 2004
UPDATED: December 18, 2017
August 22, 2022