Should class officers be able to put controversial slogans on class T-shirts as long as they are not offensive or obscene?

Yes: 79% No: 21%

Even if the slogans on the shirt are not obscene or deliberately offensive they can be limited if the administration believes that the saying could cause disruptions in classes.

Should a school play be permitted to include profanity in the production if those are the actual words in the written script by the playwright?

Yes: 88.5% No: 11.5%

School plays follow similar rules to the rules regarding school sponsored publications, and can be prohibited if it is deemed obscene.

If the information is factually accurate, should the school newspaper be permitted to print articles that are critical of the school’s administrators or teachers?

Yes: 79%            No: 21%

Much of what is published is determined by the publication’s advisor. There are county regulations, noted in “A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities,” preventing libel and allowing distribution to be stopped by the principal if the publication “encourages actions that endanger the health or safety of students or staff.”

Should students have the right to use profanity in the hallways without facing consequences?

Yes: 75.2% No: 24.8%

According to the “A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities,” “In order to promote mutual respect, you will refrain from using vulgar and abusive language.” This does not mention punishment, but sets an expectation that students are not disruptive or offensive in the halls at any time.

Should students have the right to distribute leaflets/pamphlets about controversial social or political issues at school?

Yes: 84.7% No: 15.3%

According to “A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities” all campaign material students distribute must follow campaign laws and can only be given to students who are interested in the material. Political material cannot be distributed in classrooms, the media center or other school rooms during the school day.

Should students be permitted to practice/display their religious beliefs (such as prayer groups) on school grounds?

Yes: 81.9% No: 18.1%

The Supreme Court has generally ruled that prayer sponsored by the school system is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. In “A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities” students are allowed to practice their religion as long as they are not violating the rights of others and religious groups cannot be sponsored by the school. Students are to follow the same rules for political material if they want to distribute religious materials.

Should students be allowed to wear shirts with firearms depicted in some form?

Yes: 67.6% No: 32.4%

Shirts with firearms may be considered in violation of the dress code if they are promoting violence. It would be within the school’s prerogative to a ask a student to change shirts or turn it inside out if the shirt is determined to be causing a disturbance of some form.

compiled by Max Simpson ’11