School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 5-53
STUDENTS
Activities: Access to School Facilities
- Generally
The Equal Access Act states that it shall be unlawful for any public secondary school which receives Federal financial assistance and which has a limited open forum to deny equal access or a fair opportunity to, or discriminate against, any students who wish to conduct a meeting within that limited open forum on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings. Boy Scouts and other youth groups listed as patriotic organizations by federal law must be allowed the same access.
The School Board hereby expresses its willingness to abide by federal law and regulation and enacts this policy to do so.
- Applicability
This policy is applicable only to the secondary schools.
- Implementation
The School Board authorizes the Superintendent to prepare administrative regulations to create a limited open forum in accordance with related board School Board policy.
Legal Reference:
Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act § 9575 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965 (§ 901 No Child Left Behind Act).
Title 36 United States Code (Patriotic Society)
Title VIII of Public Law 98‑377 ("The Equal Access Act") Effective: August 11, 1984.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools Policies and Regulations Website: www.vbschools.com
Editor’s Notes:
Adopted by School Board: June 15, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: September 2, 2003
Amended by School Board: April 4, 2006
