SUMMARY: LC 33 5316 ER  

Permissive legislation allowing school boards to adopt a policy allowing an inspirational message to be delivered by students at a student assembly.  If such a policy is adopted it must provide that:

• students responsible for organizing a student led portion of the assembly must have sole discretion in determining whether an inspirational message is to be delivered, will choose the student volunteers who will deliver the inspirational message, and will be solely responsible for the preparation and content of the inspirational message
• local school personnel shall not participate or influence whether an inspirational message is to be delivered, the selection of student volunteers or monitor or review the content of a student volunteer's inspirational message

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

Local boards have the authority to adopt a policy on this topic or any other unless it is unconstitutional.  

If a local board wanted to adopt a policy on student-provided inspirational messages, this legislation would limit what could be in the policy.

There are no definitions in the bill.

• What is an "inspirational message"?
• What is a student assembly?  
  • Is it organized by the students or administration or both?  
  • Is it a one-time event or a recurring function such as a monthly meeting?
  • Does it include informal gatherings?

It applies to K-12.

What is inspiring to one person may be offensive to another.

If the policy described were adopted, everything would be turned over to the students with no supervision or chance to review any planned comments.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the General Assembly and signature by the Governor.