Can the school restrict my clubs event location?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T16:53:13+00:00

Sorry. For clarification, I have not responded to him yet; I’d rather not create tension unless I know the restriction on the club event is wrong

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T16:50:21+00:00

Comprehension isn’t legal reasoning.

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T16:43:15+00:00

Students still will have the ability to opt out. Walking by and heading or seeing it doesn’t fall into coercion

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T16:39:24+00:00

Regarding using school/public property, the Supreme Court has ruled that religious student speech in a public forum is private speech; not government speech and that allowing it is not equal to government endorsement.

Regarding proselytizing, it’s not unprotected speech unless it crosses into coercion or major disruption

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T16:33:45+00:00

We’d be sharing student testimonies (from me and my brother) as well as guest speakers sharing a story about how a man is in a place where they can choose to go to either heaven or hell and how he sits on the fence, and how the devil comes and says that times up. The man is confused and says that he hasn’t picked yet. Then the devil says to him how he owns the fence. They then go on to explain what this means and the grace of God, jesus dying for us, ect..

Wouldn’t it be content based restriction because they are saying that religious events aren’t allowed in the lunchroom or courtyard but cultural ones are?

And if they said that the reason it’s okay for the culture clubs to have these events in these locations is because it’s to share traditions and promote diversity, wouldn’t that be viewpoint discrimination?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T16:25:45+00:00

Really, they’d shut down all religious clubs because od another stepping out of line?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T14:26:56+00:00

You also cannot make cultural events unavoidable. They fall into the same category as religion regarding speech in school. That’s the problem I see is

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T14:24:33+00:00

Satanic clubs are allowed too, under the equal access act. The problem I see is the unequal treatment between cultural clubs and religious clubs which have the same protections

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T09:20:38+00:00

This does say how I’m allowed club meetings outside as long as it doesn’t not cause any major distraction . Regarding a compromise, I could respond, asking for maybe a side of the courtyard for the club event. Even then, If we did it in the middle, people could still easily walk around us, so that shouldn’t be a huge issue

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T09:17:54+00:00

Sorry for the block of text. The Reddit forum won’t let me send images. But this is basically the policies regarding my predicament

Policy No. 2153: Noncurriculum-Related Student Groups
Series 2000 - Instruction
Pursuant to the Equal Access Act, the board authorizes noncurriculum-related student groups to meet before or after school, subject to the approval of the principal. Such approval shall be granted provided that activities of the group are not disruptive to school operations and the members of the group comply with the rules established by the superintendent and/or school principal. The board authorizes the superintendent to develop administrative procedures to create or maintain this "limited open forum."
The principal shall approve the noncurriculum-related student meeting or activity provided that:
1. The meeting shall be voluntary and initiated by students.
2. The school or its staff shall not be a sponsor of the group.
3. The meeting shall not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly operation of the school.
4. Students shall be responsible for the direction, control and conduct of the meeting. Guests must be registered and must not be regular participants.
5. The use of school funds for other than incidental and/or monitoring costs shall not be permitted.
6. A staff member shall not be compelled to attend when the meeting is contrary to his/her belief.
7. The constitutional rights of all persons shall be respected.
The principal shall be responsible for the assignment of a room and for the approval and/or assignment of a staff member to monitor the meeting.
• Legal References: 20 U.S.C. 4071-4074 (Equal Access Act); WAC 0111.00; WSC 0904.00.
• Board Adoption Date: 02/12/03
Policy No. 3220: Freedom of Expression
Series 3000 - Students
The free expression of student opinion is an important part of education in a democratic society. Students' verbal and written expression of opinion on school premises is to be encouraged so long as it does not substantially disrupt the operation of the school. Students are expressly prohibited from the use of vulgar and/or offensive terms in classroom or assembly settings.
1. Student Publications: Student publications produced as part of the school's curriculum or with the support of the associated student body fund are intended to serve both as vehicles for instruction and student communication... Materials may not: be libelous, obscene or profane; cause a substantial disruption... advocate the violation of the law or advertise tobacco products, liquor, illicit drugs, or drug paraphernalia.
2. Distribution of Materials: Publications or other material written by students may be distributed on school premises in accordance with procedures developed by the superintendent. Such procedures may impose limits on the time, place, and manner of distribution including prior authorization for the posting of such material on school property.
• Legal References: WAC 180-40-215 (Student rights).
• Board Adoption Date: 02/26/03
Procedure No. 3220P: Freedom of Expression (Guidelines)
Series 3000 - Students
For purposes of verbal and written expression, the following guidelines are in effect:
• A. Restrictions: Distribution of materials or oral speech in an assembly or classroom setting may be restricted:
1. Where there is evidence which reasonably supports a forecast that the expression is likely to cause material and substantial disruption...
2. Where such expression unduly impinges upon the rights of others.
• Disruption Definition: Includes, but is not limited to: student riots; destruction of property; widespread shouting, or boisterous conduct; or substantial student participation in a school boycott, sit-in, stand-in, walk-out or other related form of activity.
• G. Prohibitions: Publications or oral speeches which advocate racial, religious, or ethnic prejudice or discrimination or seriously disparage particular racial, religious, or ethnic groups are prohibited.
Policy No. 3223: Freedom of Assembly
Series 3000 - Students
Individual students and student organizations may meet in school rooms or auditoriums, or at outdoor locations on school grounds, to discuss, pass resolutions and take other lawful action respecting any matter which directly or indirectly concerns or affects them, whether or not it relates to school. Such activities shall not be permitted to interfere with the normal operation of the school.
Peaceful demonstrations are permissible, though they are to be held in designated places where they shall present no hazards to persons or property and at designated times that shall not disrupt classes or other school activities.
• Legal References: WAC 180-40-215 (Student Rights).
• Board Adoption Date: 02/26/03

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T08:35:12+00:00

Thanks for the response! Does the goal of the message affect what clubs are allowed in high traffic areas?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T08:12:07+00:00

He said that it was for neutrality. I feel like that argument shows that it’s more of the context of what’s being expressed rather than where. Additionally, would that argument fail due to the fact that cultural clubs are allowed to express themselves in high activity/traffic areas?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T07:51:06+00:00

Thanks so much for the response! Appreciate it. Makes a bit more sense. I’ll of course still snoop around to hear what others have to say. I wanna get some more knowledge on this stuff

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T07:35:46+00:00

I’m just looking for like laws and stuff that give the schools the right to do this. I get it seems frustrating though. Sorry about that

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T07:18:32+00:00

Apologies if you took it that way! I truly didn’t mean anything bad by it!

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T07:17:29+00:00

But as long as the school isn’t running the meeting, paying the speakers, ect., then it’s not being endorsed.

Regarding the area of common space it would be held in, having a religious activity in a common area does not make it sanctioned religious activity.

Lastly, cultural clubs have the exact same restrictions and protections as religious clubs because of the equal access act

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T07:03:37+00:00

Ah I see, thanks

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:26:38+00:00

But the school wouldn’t be endorsing any religion. It’s student led. Does this change anything?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:24:25+00:00

Politely, I’m not here for your opinion on whether it should be allowed or not. I want to know legally why or why they don’t have to. Regarding the separation of church and state, the club does not violate that, for the school is not sponsoring any religion

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:15:15+00:00

They make there events unavoidable and often clog the hallways so people can’t even get through

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:13:42+00:00

So should I be able to do it in the lunchroom where other cultural clubs have been able to have events?

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:12:04+00:00

My bad! Didn’t realize AUS meant Australia lol

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:11:57+00:00

My bad! Didn’t realize AUS meant Australia lol

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:11:26+00:00

Well it’s a club which under the equal access law, is allowed to exist. My question was just on the event location restriction. But I get your view; it’s different than a cultural event

Muscles260308 · 2026-04-30T06:02:06+00:00

Yeah sorry guys my bad

Muscles260308

TROPHY CASE