Opinion ID: 857469
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Later Relentless Distributions

Text: After the meeting, Relentless varied their distributions. Later in February, they distributed wristbands with the message “I’m Worth Waiting For.” Aplt. Appx., Vol. IV at 999. The group did not seek prior approval, which violated Roswell District’s standard practice. Both schools allowed the distributions to continue, but two Relentless students from Goddard High, including one plaintiff, were required to attend “Saturday school” for violating the preapproval policy. In subsequent months, Relentless distributed more items featuring scriptural quotes and religious and anti-abortion messages, including stickers, plastic Easter eggs, pencils, and dog tags. Relentless sought and received permission to distribute the Easter eggs, but Goddard administrators asked them not to block entrances or approach other students as they entered the building. It is not clear whether they sought permission for the other distributions, but there is no evidence of any disruption from any distributions that occurred after the Gottlieb meeting. [Aplt. Appx., Vol. IV at 1042.] In September 2010, after the next school year had begun, Relentless “surreptitiously” left 1,000 doughnuts in the faculty lounges of both schools, with stickers featuring the Relentless logo and a quote from Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in well doing.” Aplt. Appx., Vol. IV at 1000-01. One Relentless member who is not a plaintiff in this case was disciplined for entering the faculty lounge after being told not to -9- do so, but no other disciplinary actions were taken. The doughnuts were removed in part due to “food safety concerns.” Id. at 1001. 3. Roswell District Policies Regarding On-Campus Distributions Two Roswell District policies have been referred to in this case. First, Policy 7110 was in place before the rubber doll distribution. It requires the school principal’s preapproval to engage in promotional activities on campus, including advertising or solicitations. Policy 7110 bans outright the promotion of certain items on campus, such as alcohol and drugs. It does not mention religion. At the time of the rubber doll distribution, the District had a long-standing, unwritten policy of requiring students to obtain approval before distributing non-schoolsponsored material on school grounds. In May 2010, the District formalized this unwritten policy when it promulgated Policy 5195, captioned “Distribution of Non School Sponsored Literature.” Aplt. Appx., Vol. I at 186-87. This policy requires that students obtain approval from the school administration before distributing more than 10 copies of “any non-school sponsored literature.” Section 2 of the policy provides that approval may be withheld if the school district administration “reasonably determines” that the distribution: a. Would cause a substantial disruption or a material interference with the normal operation of the school or school activities. b. Is potentially offensive to a substantial portion of the school community due to the depiction or description of sexual conduct, violence, morbidity or the use of language which is profane or obscene and which is inappropriate for -10- the school environment as judged by the standards of the school community. c. Is libelous or which violates the rights of privacy of any person. d. Is false or misleading or misrepresents facts. e. Is demeaning to any race, religion, sex, or ethnic group. f. Encourages violation of local, state or federal laws. Aplt. Appx., Vol. I at 186. Sections 1 and 3 of the policy describe certain procedural safeguards. The District must approve or deny a distribution request within five school days. This time may be extended only with written approval of Superintendent Gottlieb. The District must provide a written explanation of the reasons for any denial. Students whose requests are denied have a right to two appeals. The first appeal is made directly to Superintendent Gottlieb, with a final appeal to the Board of Education. If a student appeals to the Board, it must provide a hearing within 10 school days and render its decision at its next regular meeting. Section 4 of the policy provides definitions of terms, including “distribution” and “non school sponsored.” Aplt. Appx., Vol. I at 186. Sections 5 and 6 give school officials the right to “designate a time, location and means by which the distribution may take place,” and to revoke approval if the distribution causes a substantial disruption. Aplt. Appx., Vol. I at 186-87. -11-