Distribution/Announcement of Outside Communications 7-15

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 7-15

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Distribution/Announcement of Outside Communications

1. Generally

   The School Board prohibits the distribution, by means of students, of materials or information which publicly endorse, or support groups or organizations involved in a commercial endeavor for profit.

2. Public Announcements

   Principals are authorized to arrange for announcements in the schools regarding community programs and scheduled activities or events that have educational or recreational value, as determined by the principal.

3. Distribution of Literature

   Communications to families sent home with students or distributed in digital or electronic format shall be reviewed carefully by each principal before permission is granted to distribute pamphlets, notices, and other communications. If a principal is in doubt, the principal shall seek permission from the appropriate supervisor in the Department of School Leadership. If doubt exists at this level as to whether or not distribution should be made, permission shall be denied until the disposition of the matter is made by the Superintendent or designee.

   Outside organizations seeking to distribute communications to more than one school or school administration site will submit the proposed communication to the Department of Communications and Community Engagement. The Department of Communications and Community Engagement will review the communication for compliance with applicable policy, regulation or law and alignment with the educational environment. If approved for distribution, the communication will be provided to applicable principals and be distributed to families.

4. Within Schools

   The distribution within schools of notices or communications originating with non-school organizations shall be restricted to patron organizations and to those announcements of a specific nature which, in the judgment of the principal, are of significant educational value. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other patriotic groups (as defined by state or federal law) will be allowed to distribute notices or communications regarding membership to the same extent as other patron organizations.

5. By Students

   Students should not be used to distribute notices or communications to parents unless such communications originate with the school, are of an official school nature, including patron organizations affiliated with the school, or possess significant educational value. Students shall only be used to distribute information of a non-school nature when it pertains to school-related organizations or when, in the judgment of the principal, such notice of information is of educational significance and/or important to the community as a whole.

6. Use of Interoffice (Pony) Mail Services/Communication Systems

   The use of the School Division's interschool mail distribution service and communication systems shall be limited to school business and, with the approval of the Superintendent or designee, communications by parent-teacher organizations, other school-related organizations, or employee associations as defined in Policy 4-32.

Editor's Note

For advertising in the schools see School Board Policy 7-14 and any implementing regulations.
For acceptable use of computer systems see School Board Policy 6-64 and School Board Regulation 6-64.1.

Legal Reference

Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. §7905, et seq., as amended

Related Links

School Board Policy 4-32
School Board Policy 6-64
School Board Regulation 6-64.1
School Board Policy 7-14

Adopted by School Board: October 20, 1992
Amended by School Board: May 9, 2006
Amended by School Board: August 19, 2014
Amended by School Board: August 2, 2016
Amended by School Board: April 24, 2018
Amended by School Board: April 30, 2019
Amended by School Board: November 26, 2024