It is the policy of the Seattle School Board to encourage school visitation by parents/guardians, family members, and adult members of the community in order to observe the educational program, provided that only minimal disruption of the program occurs. Such visitation shall occur in conformance with specific District and administrative procedures and is considered authorized.

Unauthorized persons on District property are considered trespassers. District property includes, but is not limited to, District buildings, school buildings, school grounds, school sports facilities, school buses, and other premises being used for a school-sponsored event.

Visitors whose purpose is to influence or solicit students shall not be permitted on the school grounds unless the principal or designee has determined that the visit furthers the educational program of the District or the career or educational aspirations of the student. Persons recruiting for post-secondary options, including colleges, employers, and the military are not considered solicitors for the purposes of this policy.

When high schools permit military recruiters to speak with students regarding military career opportunities, the school must provide equal access for organizations that wish to counsel alternatives to, or provide additional information about, military service. If literature encouraging military service is displayed for students to read or pick up, groups counseling alternatives to military service may similarly display their literature.

The Superintendent or staff member in charge shall direct a person to leave immediately if any person is:

1. Under the influence of illegal and/or controlled substances, including marijuana (cannabis), or alcohol; or
2. Is disrupting or obstructing any school program, activity, or meeting; or
3. Threatens to do so or is committing, threatening to imminently commit or inciting another to imminently commit any act which would disturb or interfere with or obstruct any lawful task, function, process or procedure of any student, official, classified or certificated staff member or invitee of the school district..

If such a person refuses to leave, the Superintendent or staff member shall immediately call for the assistance of a law enforcement officer.

Persons removed from campus or whose presence on campus has been limited or restricted by the Superintendent or staff member in charge shall have the right to appeal that removal via the District complaint process outlined in Board Policy No. 4220. Persons aggrieved by the final decision of the District following the complaint process outlined in Board Policy 4220, may appeal the decision to the King County Superior Court.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop procedures to implement this policy, as necessary.

Superintendent Procedure:

• 4200SP.A – Visitors to Schools
• 4200SP.B – Equal Access for Recruiters
• 4200SP.C – Unauthorized Persons on School Property
• 4200SP.D – Public Use of Outside School Grounds

Policy Cross References:

• 2331 – Controversial Issues/Guest Speakers
• 3124 – Removal/Release of Student During School Hours
• 3510 – Associated Student Bodies
• 4129 – Family Engagement
• 4220 – Complaints Concerning Staff or Programs
• 4310 – District Relationships with Law Enforcement and Other Government Agencies
• 4311 – School Safety and Security Services Program
• 5201 – Drug-Free Schools, Community and Workplace

Previous Policies:

• F44.00 – Unauthorized Persons on School Property
• F44.01 – Unauthorized Persons on School Property Procedure

Legal References:

• RCW 28A.230.180 Requiring equal access for college, occupational and military recruiters.
• RCW 28A.605.020 Parents’ access to classroom or school sponsored activities—Limitation.
• RCW 28A.635.020 Willfully disobeying school administrative personnel or refusing to leave public property, violations, when — Penalty.
• RCW 28A.635.030 Disturbing school, school activities, or meetings.
• RCW 28A.635.090 Interfering by force or violence — Penalty.
• RCW 28A.635.100 Intimidating any administrator, teacher, classified employee, or student by threat of force or violence unlawful — Penalty.
• RCW 28A.605.020 Parents’ access to classroom or school sponsored activities.
• 20 U.S.C. § 7908 – Armed Forces recruiter access to students and student recruiting information

Management Resources:

• WSSDA Policy & Legal News, March 2022, February 2013

Last Board Review:

Revisions:

• November 26, 2025 (Administrative Update per Policy No. 1310)
• April 19, 2017
• January 2014

Adopted by the Board:

• February 2012