JPS board approves 1st amendment rights bill

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Public School Board has unanimously approved a North Dakota House bill, the John Wall New Voices Act.

The act protects First Amendment rights of student journalists in highs schools and colleges in North Dakota.

House Bill 1471, passed the state House February 20 on a 92-0 vote, and has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

District 12 Representative. Republican Alex Looysen, of Jamestown, is the bill’s primary sponsor.

He says, the House Education Committee amended the bill by removing the part of the bill that would have applied to private colleges and universities.

VCSU assistant professor of journalism and student media director, Steve Listopad, presented the request for a resolution of support to the School Board along with Looysen.

Rob Lech, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, said if HB 1471 becomes law, the School Board would have to come up with a policy regarding prior review.

In other business, the school board unanimously approved giving Lech a satisfactory rating on his annual evaluation.

Board member Gail Martin said the public needs to know that the board is more than satisfied with Lech’s job performance.