Everett district still missing the point

The recent Everett School District settlement regarding prior review of student newspapers concerns me.

Although the student editors of Everett High School’s newspaper Kodak were wrong in their attempt to change the paper’s masthead to be in direct violation of district policy, the fact that the district fights to retain this policy of prior review is even more troubling.

The democratic necessity for open discourse must outweigh a school district’s anxiety over potential controversy. Journalistic integrity is not taught through prior review; integrity is taught through practice, trust and support.

Under the Hazelwood decision, a public school may censor student publications only if there are “reasonably related legitimate pedagogical concerns.” What are their concerns?

After the settlement, school district attorney Michael Patterson stated that he looked forward to “continuing the process of teaching high school journalism students how to produce high quality newspapers for their peers.” He fails to realize that student reporters are actually reporters and the readership of any school paper is not confined to its campus.

My student journalists enjoy the additional protections granted by CA Ed. Code Sec. 48907 and CA Constitution Article 1, Section 2(b). It is time for Washington to consider similar legislation to ensure stronger student journalist protections.

Bryan Ritter

Adviser, The Lowell