School district addresses concerns over yearbook photo
– Paso Robles Joint Unified School District issued a statement to families, students and staff saying it is reviewing the approval process for this year’s Paso Robles High School yearbook after photographs of a student protest containing visible profanity appeared in the publication.
The statement is as follows:
Dear Paso Schools Families and Community,
We are writing to address concerns that have been raised regarding this year’s Paso Robles High School yearbook.
Photographs included in coverage of a student protest contain visible profanity on signs held by participants. While students have important rights to freedom of expression, including in official student publications, the inclusion of profanity in a school-sponsored publication does not align with District expectations, Board policy, or applicable provisions of California Education Code. (Applicable Board policy and California Education Code are linked in the comments, below.)
The issue under review is not the coverage of the student protest itself. Student expression and the documentation of significant events that occur during a school year are appropriate subjects for a yearbook. Rather, the concern is that profane language appeared in a publication produced under the school’s supervision and was distributed to students and families, which is a matter we take seriously.
District and school administrators are currently conducting a review to understand how this content was approved through the yearbook’s editorial and publication process. This review will include examining the timeline of decisions, the procedures that were followed, and the roles and responsibilities associated with final publication review.
At the same time, we are evaluating potential options for addressing the issue. While no final decisions have been made, possible remedies under consideration include corrective measures related to the affected page and improvements to publication review procedures moving forward.
Individuals who wish to share concerns or ask questions regarding this matter are encouraged to contact Principal Mike Susank directly at mesusank@pasoschools.org. The District is currently reviewing this issue, and responsibility for responding to concerns rests with school and district administration. Students should not be expected to answer questions or respond to concerns regarding an ongoing administrative review. We respectfully ask that community members direct all communication regarding this matter to school administration and refrain from contacting student yearbook staff or messaging student-affiliated social media accounts.
We appreciate your patience as we work to fully understand what occurred and determine appropriate next steps.
Sincerely,
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Administration
[This message was first shared with Paso Schools families, students and staff at 11:30 a.m. via ParentSquare.]
Students have the right to protest and they have the right to make protest signs protected by the First Amendment! The administration should let it rest and deal with the MAGA base which is what you are really trying to protect. With all the administration officials you are hiring it seems that the new sup is repeating the actions that caused our financial instability. We are repeating the actions of the past and focusing on denying students their rights! Sounds like an underworked administrative staff wants to sound the MAGA alarm and teach those kids a lesson. The kids are smarter than you and they know their rights. Back off and pretend to do your jobs!
Students have the right to protest and they have the right to make protest signs protected by the First Amendment! The administration should let it rest and deal with the MAGA base which is what you are really trying to protect. With all the administration officials you are hiring it seems that the new sup is repeating the actions that caused our financial instability. We are repeating the actions of the past and focusing on denying students their rights! Sounds like an underworked administrative staff wants to sound the MAGA alarm and teach those kids a lesson. The kids are smarter than you and they know their rights. Back off and pretend to do your jobs!