The Board of Education of the Irvine Unified School
District recognizes that the courts have held that
individuals have a right to engage in activities
protected by the First Amendment, including political
campaigning. However, the courts have recognized
that, due to the unique nature and mission of the
public schools, the right to engage in such
activities on school district property is limited.
Therefore, on any day designated as an election day
by local, state, or Federal law members of the public may not
engage in political activities or political campaigning
within the boundaries
of the public school designated by the school
principal.
Each principal shall designate an
area on the perimeter of the public school where
activities protected by the First Amendment may be
engaged in, and where persons engaging in these
protected activities will have access to persons
entering and exiting the school. However, persons
involved in these protected activities shall not
obstruct or block persons wishing to enter and exit
the school.
Should declared candidates for political office be invited to
a school or district sponsored event to discuss campaign issues, all such candidates for that office shall be
invited.
This policy shall not apply to political
campaign activity associated with student body or other local school
elections.
Legal Reference:
Perrv Education Association v. Perrv Local
Educators Association, 40 U.S. 37, 103 S.Ct. 948 (1983);
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484
U.S. 260, 108 S.Ct. 562 (1988). Carreras v. Citv of Anaheim, 786 F.2d 1039
(9th Cir. 1985);
Education Code Section 7055.
Policy Adopted: October 20,
1992
Policy Revised: April 6, 2004
