Forum schools
Mira Costa High School
Manhattan Beach, CA
• Public school
• Mustang Morning News
• Adviser: Michael Hernandez,
• Contact info: 320-318-7337 Ext. 5146; cinehead@hotmail.com
• Media Web site: www.mcmediaarts.org
• Media Web site: www.mustangmorningnews.com
• Willing to talk with others about forum status
• The Mustang Morning News is a forum by policy and practice, and has been for 8.5 years.
• Other points of significance:
California Law and Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board Policy respect the independence of student journalism and its role in society.
There are several lengthy stories, involving prior review and restraint, and my relationship with his principals. Contact him for more information.
He was the adviser who started the forum program, developed the curriculum and wrote the policy.
For the Mustang Morning News editorial policies, please go to www.mustangmorningnews.com/Ethics.html
Mira Costa's board policy 5145.2, student expression, states:
Students' freedom of expression shall be limited only as allowed by law in order to maintain an orderly school environment and to protect the rights, health and safety of all members of the school community.
Students are prohibited from making any expressions or distributing or posting any materials that are obscene, libelous or slanderous. Students also are prohibited from making any expressions that so incite students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on school premises, the violation of school rules, or substantial disruption of the school's orderly operation. (Education Code 48907)
(cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)
(cf. 5145.9 - Hate-Motivated Behavior)
The use of "fighting words" or epithets is prohibited if the speech is abusive and insulting rather than a communication of ideas, and the speech is used in an abusive manner in a situation that presents an actual danger that it will cause a breach of the peace.
School officials shall not engage in prior restraint of material prepared for official school publications except insofar as the content of the material violates the law. (Education Code 48907)
The Superintendent or designee shall not discipline any high school student solely on the basis of speech or other communication that would be constitutionally protected when engaged in outside of school, but may impose discipline for harassment, threats or intimidation unless constitutionally protected. (Education Code 48950)