Superintendent Bill Nolte has issued an administrative regulation prohibiting informal non-school displays at school activities and events. The purpose of this regulation is to foster a positive climate on school property and at school activities and events. In issuing the regulation, Nolte said, “Students, staff, parents, and visitors should be able to come together in a unified manner at athletic, extra-curricular, cultural arts, and other school events. Our students and staff should be the focus of school activities. Displays at school-sponsored events should be school displays not third-party materials that have the potential to distract participants, obstruct the view of spectators, and create the potential for disruption.”
The regulation prohibits all third-party displays that are not authorized by School Board Policy, the superintendent, or the principal. The regulation applies to any school-sponsored athletic event or contest, extra-curricular activity, cultural arts event, as well as activities that occur during the school day, such as assemblies and rallies. This regulation applies to all school property, including but not limited to, gymnasiums, stadiums, athletic fields, parking lots, and auditoriums.
Formal school sponsored displays will continue to include the U.S. Flag, the N.C. Flag, authorized school symbols, authorized advertising, and items or messages authorized by school principals. Principals will allow and support the informal display of the U.S. Flag, the N.C. Flag, and authorized school symbols as long as these informal displays do not obstruct the view of spectators or create the potential for a disruption or safety hazard.
The regulation does not nullify or prohibit formal displays authorized under School Board Policy. The following School Board Policies are not impacted by the regulation: Board Policy 5210 Distribution and Display of Non-School Material, Regulation 5210R 5240R Proprietary Student Interest Club Activities and Events, Board Policy 5240 Advertising in the Schools, Board Policy 4316 Student Dress Code, Board Policy 7340 Employee Dress and Appearance, and Regulation 7340R Employee Dress and Appearance.
Contact: Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent