The Neshaminy School Board voted 8-1 to approve revised district Policy 600 Thursday night.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The revised policy bans the editors of Neshaminy High School’s “The Playwickian” student newspaper from editing the word “Redskin,” which some deem offensive, out of letters to the editor and advertisements. However, the students are not required to publish the word in news articles. A new 10-day review period by administration and other measures will be put into place with the passage of the revised policy.
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The students editors of the newspaper contend the policy does not follow state law and goes against their First Amendment rights. The district, on the other hand, said they believe their updated policy is fair and follows laws.
Gillian McGoldrick, “The Playwickian” co-editor-in-chief , said the vote was “expected and not surprising.” Other soon-to-be seniors that edit the newspaper echoed McGoldrick’s comments.
Attorney Matthew Schafer of the law firm is representing the students pro-bono. He said after the vote he couldn’t comment on whether they plan to sue the district.
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McGoldrick said the student editors were not going to “sit back and let this happen.”
Board member Mike Morris voted against the policy. He said after the meeting that the district could have handled the situation better.
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Following the meeting, Board member Stephen Pirritano said he thinks the policy is fair and protects the district from suit by the student editors.
“While we certainly have a difference in opinions I think we all want to do what’s best for the school district,” McGoldrick said during public comment.
Schafer brought up several issues with the policy during public comment and questioned how much the district is spending on the issue.
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“I say you must reconsider policy 600,” Schafer said.
Pirritano said the policy gives administration leeway to work with the student editors.
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Pirritano recently suggested that his son might sue because the editors banned his letter to The Playwickian in the most recent issue. The letter by Pirritano’s son was banned from the publication due to use of the word “Redskin,” which is crux of the issue between student editors and the district.
Several Native Americans spoke during public comment and asked the district not to approve the revised policy.
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“I think what you just did to those students is a disgrace,” said Langhorne resident Donna Boyle, who is Native American decent and has raised issue over the Redskin mascot many times before. “I don’t get it. You’re supposed to be teaching our kids respect.”
Revised Policy 600 also applies to other student-run and district-backed publications.
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The board also voted and approved revised social media policy. The policy governs the way students, parents and coaches interact with each other via the internet.
Related:
- Could Neshaminy be Sued Over Newspaper Controversy?
- School Newspaper’s Social Media Accounts Taken Down
- Neshaminy High School Admin Accused of Pulling ‘Playwickian’ Copies
- Neshaminy Committee Tables Controversial Newspaper Policy
- Controversial Neshaminy Policy Going Back to Committee
- Neshaminy Board Hears Public Comment on Revised Policy
- Neshaminy Board Moves ‘Redskin’ Policy Vote on Heels of Letter from Lawyer Representing Students
- Neshaminy Lawyer: Editors Can’t Stop Students from Using Redskin Name
- Neshaminy Mulls Blocking Student Paper Ban on ‘Redskins’ Name
