Student Organizations: Secondary Schools

Pursuant to Board policy JJA-1 (Student Organizations), schools in the district may encourage students to broaden their knowledge and citizenship by permitting the formation of clubs or other groups that relate to subject matter covered by the curriculum. Such organizations shall operate within the framework of state statutes, Board policy, administrative rules and the parameters of the learning program.

Each building principal shall develop general guidelines for the establishment and operation of student organizations within the particular school. Among other provisions, such guidelines shall require the approval of the principal prior to the formation of any club or organization in a school and the assignment of at least one faculty adviser to each approved student organization.

All student organizations are required to open membership to all interested and/or eligible students. Fraternities, sororities and/or secret societies shall not receive recognition in any manner under this policy.

All forms of hazing shall be prohibited in a student organization. No initiation shall be held for a student organization which will be degrading to the student.

The faculty adviser must attend every meeting of the student organization whether conducted on school premises or at another location.

The principal is responsible for determining whether the purpose of a student organization is related to the curriculum.

Student organizations shall be considered directly related to the curriculum if one or more of the following applies:

The subject matter of the group or activity is actually taught in a regularly-offered course.
The subject matter of the group or activity concerns the body of courses as a whole.
Participation in the group is required for a particular course.
Academic credit or extra credit is given for participation in the group.

When the principal denies the request of a student organization desiring to meet or form in a particular school, the principal shall inform the group of the reasons for the denial. The students and/or group may submit a written request to the superintendent within 10 days of the denial for a review of the principal’s decision.

Non-Curriculum Student Organizations - Open Forum

Non-Curriculum Student Organizations - Open Forum

In addition to clubs and groups related to the curriculum, students in middle and high schools in this district shall be permitted to organize and conduct meetings of noncurriculum-related student clubs or other groups to pursue specialized activities outside the classroom. Such groups shall not be considered school-sponsored student organizations nor be given all the privileges afforded to school-sponsored organizations.

Students may conduct meetings under this policy on school premises only during non-instructional time so that meetings do not interfere with the orderly conduct of the educational activities of the school. Meetings of noncurricular student groups must be scheduled, organized and conducted within the guidelines established by this policy and accompanying regulations.

Please refer to Board policy JJA-2 ( Non-Curriculum Student Organizations – Open Forum) for more information regarding noncurriculum-related student clubs or other groups.