The chief school administrator shall approve participation in extracurricular contests sponsored by organizations outside the schools, as long as participation does not interfere with the instructional program. When such contests involve promotional aid, school time, or faculty assistance to pupils in essay writing, poster making, or other activities, the chief school administrator shall determine whether the experiences are closely enough allied to and in support of the instructional work of the school and will clearly serve to advance the educational aims of the district. The worthiness of the sponsoring agency’s cause or the opportunity for individuals to win prizes shall not in themselves constitute sufficient reason for approving a contest.

Contests and awards whether local, state, or national shall be:

A. For the benefit of the pupil;

B. Open to all pupils on a non-discriminatory basis;

C. Consistent with district objectives;

D. Judged by disinterested parties;

E. Properly supervised with safety precautions in place;

F. Voluntary for pupils and teachers.

Contests and awards shall not place undue time or financial burdens on pupils, teachers and parents. They shall not promote commercial products or partisan viewpoints. Participation shall not be dependent on the financial status of the pupil.

NJSBA Review/Update: August 2008, October 2017
Adopted: January 21, 2009

Key Words

Contests for Pupils, Awards

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:42-2 School orchestra not to compete with civilian musicians;
exceptions
N.J.S.A. 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)
Possible
Cross References: *1314 Fundraising by outside organizations
*1320 Participation in out-of-school community activities
*3280 Gifts, grants and bequests
*5126 Awards for achievement
*6145 Extracurricular activities
*6145.1/6145.2 Intramural competition; interscholastic competition
*6153 Field trips

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.