Do I let my students say "public forum" and cross my fingers?

At the end of the school year, my students and I on staff spent a lot of time looking at schools' different editorial policies after realizing the Bear Facts does not have one. Can you imagine a 50 year old publication not having an editorial policy?  Well, it's true.

We also spent time combing the SPLC website looking for specifics on Pennsylvania law regarding student press.  We are a prior review district. But I cannot find it written in any district policy. The students wanted to put "public forum for student expression" in the editorial policy.  I let them, but then I held back on giving it to the principal for review.

After hearing Frank LoMonte talk about the public forum, I can't decide if my decision to not give the policy to my principal was a good one or not.

I held back for a few reasons. First, I was coming here and I wanted to see what  I would learn about practices and policies before I made a document official with a principal's signature.  Second, I was fearful of backlash.  I did not want to bring a hailstorm of legalities and meetings raining down upon me.

After today, I stand by my decision because I want to go through the district's policies one more time to see if I missed it somewhere.  But I also disagree with my decision because I want to see if he will sign off on it now, knowing that I might be able to establish my district under Tinker instead of Hazelwood beginning this year and enforcing it for the next ten.

LoMonte said it is unknown if there needs to be a district policy in place establishing a public forum or establishing prior review.  He said no district has had a newspaper that simply put it in their editorial policy and started it up.  Should my district be the first?  My gut reaction is to say no, to talk to him some more, get my ducks in a row and then meet with my principal to suggest it.  But my principal is not one to give up the reigns easily and I can quickly see him dismissing my case. I can also see him retaliating against me if I make a big deal of this.

So this blog is to ask my fellow fellows.  What would you do if you were me? Do I encourage my students to keep it there and we print a newspaper this year waiting to get caught or do I keep Mr. LoMonte's card handy and, as Steve said today regarding myhsj.org "say a little prayer" and meet up with my principal?