School sponsored or approved activities are an important part of the school program and offer students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day. School sponsored or approved activities are provided for the enjoyment and opportunity for involvement they afford the students.
Spectators are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved activities only as guests of the school district, and, accordingly as a condition of such permission, they must comply with the school district's rules and policies. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the school sponsored or approved activity. Spectators, like the student participants, are expected to display mature behavior and sportsmanship. The failure of spectators to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the school district and the entire community.
To protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference, and to permit the sponsors and officials of sponsored or approved activities to perform their duties without interference, the following provisions are in effect:
- Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
- Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities will not be tolerated.
- The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, officials or sponsors participating in a sponsored or approved activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
If a spectator at an sponsored or approved activity becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression, or in any way impedes the performance of an activity, the spectator may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event and the principal and or athletic director may recommend the exclusion of the spectator at future sponsored or approved activities.
Upon recommendation of the principal, and/or the athletic director, the superintendent will cause a notice of exclusion from sponsored or approved activities to be sent to the spectator involved. The notice will advise the spectator of the school district's right to exclude the individual from school district activities and events and the duration of the exclusion. If the spectator disobeys the school official or district's order, law enforcement authorities may be contacted and asked to remove the spectator. If a spectator has been notified of exclusion and thereafter attends a sponsored or approved activity, the spectator will be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution. The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from future school sponsored or approved activities.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 716.7.
Cross Reference:
205 Board Member Liability
504 Student Activities
802.6 Vandalism
903 Public Participation in the School District
Approved 2-16-04 Reviewed 2-21-11 6-19-19 Revised