Central Unified student urges board to update 2002 student-publication policy

Ethan English, a Central Unified student representing the student group Spotlight, spoke during public comment at the April 14 board meeting and urged trustees to direct staff to revise board policy 6145.3 governing student publications.

English told the board the districts policy predates smartphones and districtwide student publications and argued that a written policy provides stable protections for student speech and staff handling of student media. He asked the board to present a finalized revised policy by May 3 (World Press Freedom Day) and provided paper copies of his remarks to trustees.

The board did not vote on the policy that evening. Trustees listened and thanked English for the request; staff and trustees indicated follow-up would be needed to bring any policy revision back to the board for consideration.