I. MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Pioneer Press is to produce accurate and original journalism that adheres to professional journalistic standards and reflects the stories of the students and staff and community of Boswell High School.

II. FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESS

A free press is essential to a free society; therefore:

1. Above all, The Press shall always serve the best interests of the students at Boswell High School, keeping itself free from any commercial or financial obligations distracting from this purpose or its mission;
2. The Press and its staff are both protected by and bound to the principles of free speech defined by the First Amendment and other protections and limitations afforded by the Constitution and the various laws and court decisions implementing those principles;
3. All student media referenced in this editorial policy are designated public forums;
4. The Press shall not publish any material determined by student editors or the student Editorial Board to be unprotected speech, that is, material that is libelous, obscene, materially disruptive of the school process, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, a violation of copyright or a promotion of products or services unlawful (illegal) as to
   minors as defined by state or federal law;
5. Decisions regarding content shall be made by the editors. The adviser shall give advice and counsel, but the final decision rests in the hands of the Editorial Board;
6. The Editorial Board shall prevent publication of material it judges to be in violation of this policy;
7. The Press shall vigorously resist all attempts at censorship, particularly prepublication censorship;
8. The Press retains the right to publish any and all material attained through an interview by a student member of the Press provided that the interviewee was made aware that
   the information could be published in any form at any time;
9. Student journalists may use print and electronic media to report news and information, to communicate with other students and individuals, to ask questions of and consult with experts and to gather material to meet their newsgathering and research needs.

III. THE EDITORIAL BOARD

1. The Editorial Board (the “Editors”) shall consist of all student staff editors.
2. The Editorial Board shall be the governing body of The Pioneer Press and shall exist
3. to further the Press’ best interests.
4. No member of the Editorial Board shall have more than one vote on the board.
5. All members of the Editorial Board and the adviser will elect a replacement for board
6. members who have been dismissed.
7. All members of the Editorial Board are expected to know their duties and must
8. understand the consequences of failing to fulfill said duties.
9. Thestudenteditorandstaffwhowantappropriateoutsidelegaladviceregarding
10. proposed content should seek attorneys knowledgeable in media law, such as those of the Student Press Law Center. Final content decisions and responsibility shall remain with the student Editorial Board.
11. The duly appointed Editors shall interpret and enforce this editorial policy.
12. The Editorial Board shall review this policy annually and revise as necessary before the first day of any academic year. To be effective, any revision shall require a majority vote of the Editorial Board.

IV. THE ADVISER

The adviser shall not act as a censor or determine the content of the Pioneer Press. The adviser shall offer advice and instruction following the Standards for Journalism Educators adopted by the Journalism Education Association as well as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Furthermore, the adviser:

1. Shall serve as a professional role model, motivator, catalyst for ideas and educational resource.
2. Provides a journalistic, professional learning atmosphere for students by allowing them to make the decision of content and ensuring the Pioneer Press remains an open forum.
3. Guides the Press in accordance with approved editorial policy and aids the educational process related to producing material.
4. May caution, act as quasi-legal consultant or educate the Press, but shall have no power of censorship or veto except for constitutionally valid reasons.
5. Shall keep abreast of current professional journalistic practices and share these with students.
6. Will submit student media produced by the students to rating services and contests in order for the school publications staff to receive feedback.
7. Will forward any correspondence received to editors as determined by the Editorial Board.
8. Will provide information to the staff about journalism scholarships and other financial aid and make available information and contacts concerning journalism as a career.
9. Will work with the faculty and administration to help them understand the freedoms accorded to the students and the professional goals of the school publications.

V. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

The Boswell High School administration will provide the students of BOS with a qualified journalism instructor to serve as a professional role model, adequate classroom equipment, and space for a sound journalism program.

The administration will offer equal opportunity to minority and/or marginalized students to participate in journalism programs.

The administration is not required to view and approve publication content before publishing.

VI. CONTENT OF THE PIONEER PRESS

INTRODUCTION

All content decisions will be made in accordance with the following provisions, while keeping in mind the overall purpose, role and goal of the Press is to:

1. Inform, interpret, and entertain their viewers through accurate and factual reports, where information has been thoroughly gathered and information has been completely verified;
2. Serve as an educational laboratory experience for those on staff;
3. Be accurate, fair and impartial in its coverage of issues that affect the school community;
4. Cover the total school population as effectively and accurately as possible;
5. Report all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner, according to the Code of Ethics developed by the Society for Professional Journalists concerning accuracy, responsibility, integrity, conflict of interest, impartiality, fair play, freedom of the press, independence, sensationalism, personal privacy, obstruction of justice, creditability and advertising.

REGARDING PROFANITY

1. The Press will not print unnecessary profanity in accordance with the Associated Press Stylebook.
2. The Editorial Board will make the decision on whether content is considered profane or whether it is a cultural or non-vulgar slang term.
3. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit quotes for unnecessary profanity or unnecessarily offensive words. Quotes that have been edited will be noted accordingly when published.
4. Any edited quote will be read back to the source prior to publishing and sources will have a chance to make changes.
5. Staff interviewers have the right to ask a source when necessary to repeat a quote without the use of profane language.

REGARDING STAFF WRITING

1. All writing in the Press, other than letters to the editor, will be written by students and not otherwise.
2. Students outside of the media staff will have the opportunity to submit writing to the Press.
3. Any writing submitted from an outside source for use will be accepted upon request of the Editorial Board or when open opportunities arise and will be viewed by Editors and adviser for verification.
4. Any material submitted from an outside source may be edited by the Editorial Board and must comply with this policy.
5. Writing must be the original work of the writer and not previously published in any publication, unless otherwise specified by the adviser and Editors.

REGARDING EDITORIALS

1. All printed editorial subject matter will be determined by the Editorial Board.
2. The Press will not publish any material for which there is evidence that the author is using the paper for inappropriate personal gain.
3. The Press will endeavor to provide a chance for comment on all sides of a critical issue in the same edition.
4. The Editorial Board will determine the content of editorials, including all unsigned editorials. The views stated in editorials represent that of a majority of the Editorial Board. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author.

REGARDING CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

1. All coverage of controversial issues will occur upon a timely subject.
2. All sides of the issue will be presented and reviewed so as to refrain from any bias, with the exception of opinion writing and editorials.
3. In news, all sides of a school, community, city, state, national, or international political issue will be presented factually so as to inform rather than promote or endorse.
4. The Press shall not publish material that is obscene, libelous or is an unwarranted invasive of privacy.
5. The Press shall not engage in personal attacks.
6. Before publishing coverage over controversial issues, the Editorial Board must consider the following questions about the piece:
   • Why is it a concern?
   • What is its journalistic purpose?
   • Is the information accurate and complete?
   • Are the points of view of any stakeholders omitted?
   • How would we feel if the story was about ourselves or someone we know?
   • What are the likely consequences of publication?
   • Is there a logical explanation for anyone who challenges this issue?
   • Will publication put the credibility of the Press at risk?
   • What are the alternatives?

REGARDING BYLINES

1. All articles, graphics, photos, art, columns, pages, reviews, and other material creatively conceived, except staff editorials, mug shots and cutouts, will be bylined with the producer’s name.
2. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work and must provide copies of source materials.
3. When more than one person has contributed creatively to a piece of work, any person who has contributed to the work must be bylined.

REGARDING NEWS AND FEATURES

1. The Press will emphasize informing its readers of school news and unique stories of the Boswell High School community.
2. The Press will cover community, state, national, and international news if it is directly relevant to the school community and includes a local angle.
3. The Press will strive to provide coverage to all school organizations and functions.
4. When faced with undesirable news such as student or faculty crimes, the publications will endeavor to publish the facts correctly, explain the issue, and put a stop to any speculative stories that inevitably develop.
5. School district issues and news should take priority over school news, as determined by the Editors.

REGARDING DEATHS

1. Any current student, staff member, faculty member or building administrator that dies during the year will be recognized in the Press.
2. The Press will publish factual information (date of birth, date of death, survivors, organizations, hobbies, interests) in a 300-word obituary, including one photo if possible.
3. The Press shall obtain permission from the deceased’s family before publishing any information regarding the cause of death. If permission is not granted, the Editorial Board reserves the final say in publication of cause of death. Suicide shall not be listed as a cause of death.
4. The Press shall treat all deaths in a tasteful, respectful manner.
5. An issue, or portion of an issue, should not be dedicated to or in memory of the deceased.
6. Any current student, staff member, faculty member, or building administrator that dies during the year will be recognized in the school yearbook.
7. The school yearbook will publish factual information (date of birth, date of death, survivors, organizations, hobbies and interests) and one photo, if possible, in a 1/4-page space.

REGARDING ILLUSTRATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHICS, ETC.

1. All captions will record the who and other necessary information in the photo.
2. All photographs must be captioned and bylined, with the exception of mugs and cutouts.
3. Bylines are required on all online photos and galleries.
4. Any photographs that contain any inappropriate attire, actions or gestures must be reshot.
5. Artwork represents the interpretations of the artist, not the Editorial Board.
6. The Press will not publish any photos, illustrations or graphics that ridicule, demean, bully or misleadingly represent any individual or group.
7. Electronic manipulations changing the essential truth of a photo or illustration will be clearly labeled if used.

REGARDING ERRORS

1. Concerns about errors in the school media may be submitted to the adviser.
2. The Editorial Board retains the right to determine whether, in fact, an error has been made.
3. Known and or found errors that are brought to the attention of the school media will be addressed whether realized by author, audience or staff member.
4. Staff members will strive to correct errors prior to publication; however, if the Editorial Board determines a significant error is printed, the Editorial Board will determine the manner and timeliness of a correction.
5. Major corrections are determined by the editors and adviser.
6. If changes are made to a web story once a story has been posted, the change will be noted along with the date and time the change was made.

REGARDING ADVERTISING

1. The Press will not accept advertising for products that are illegal for minors to purchase and/or use.
2. The image or likeness of any student may not appear in any advertisement without the consent of the student and his/her legal guardian.
3. The Press will not run advertising without a proper signature on an advertising contract that stipulates terms of payment, content, size and publication dates.
4. The Press will not accept personals or classified advertising.
5. All ads must be approved by the Editor-in-Chief of any publication.
6. The Press will cease to publish advertising of any advertiser that does not meet payment obligations as specified in the advertising contract.
7. All advertisers will receive a complementary issue of the publication in which their ad has run, except The Pioneer yearbook.
8. If a published advertisement is incorrect in substantive content, a reduced price or corrected run will be negotiated.
9. Any web ads must appear in a specified section of the website.
10. Advertising that appears in the Press is not necessarily endorsed by the Press, its staff members, Editorial Board or adviser.

REGARDING DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION

1. Regular updates will be made to the website and social media during the school year. Updates may be made to the site during breaks but are not required.
2. The school newspaper will be distributed free of charge to all students according to a distribution schedule approved by the adviser and editors. Newspapers will be distributed twice per semester unless specified otherwise by the adviser and Editorial Board.
3. The school yearbook will be distributed in the Spring semester unless specified otherwise by the adviser and Editorial Board.

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAIT POLICY

1. Senior portraits must be taken by the company specified by yearbook staff.
2. All senior portraits must be taken by the posted date given to the yearbook staff by the school photographer.
3. Any senior who fails to get his/her yearbook portrait taken by the school photographer will not be pictured in the yearbook senior section.
4. Portraits provided by the school photographer will be used for students in grades 9-12 and for the faculty members.
5. The section/grade placement of student portraits will be determined by the student’s status on the first day of the second semester.
6. Grade designations will only be changed after written notice from a member of the school administration.
7. The Press reserves the right to review or omit questionable or inappropriate portraits or portraits in which the subject violates student dress codes.
8. Names in the portrait section shall be written as listed in official school records unless otherwise requested by the student with approval from parents or guardians.
9. Portraits shall consist of one individual only. No other persons or props are permitted.

GROUP PORTRAIT POLICY

1. Any groups with school sponsors are eligible to take a group photo for the yearbook.
2. The Pioneer yearbook will cover school sponsored, board approved, and established clubs, organizations and sports. All other organizations will be reviewed by the Editorial Board.
3. The Editorial Board reserves the right to review or omit questionable or inappropriate portraits.
4. Group portraits will consist of group members and sponsors only.

REGARDING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND ONLINE COMMENTS

1. Letters to the editor will be printed in the opinion section of the newspaper or website.
2. Guidelines to write letters to the editor will be printed every issue in the opinion section of the paper and available online.
3. Unless otherwise specified, letters to the editor may be submitted to the advisor’s mailbox or emailed.
4. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words, must be signed and must include writer’s email or phone number for verification.
5. Letters to the editor will be verified by a member of the Editorial Board to determine the authenticity of the writer.
6. No material will be printed where content is obscene, invasive of others’ privacy, encouraging physical disruption of school activities, and/or implies libel.
7. The Editorial Board reserves the right to withhold a letter or column or other submission and/or return it for revision if it contains unprotected speech or grammatical errors that could hamper its meaning.
8. Deadlines for letters and columns will be determined by each year’s student staff, allowing sufficient time for verification of authorship prior to publication.
9. All letters to the editor become the property of the school newspaper upon receipt and will not be returned to the author.
10. Online comments shall not be allowed on pioneerpress.org.
11. Personal attacks shall not be allowed.

REGARDING REVIEWS

1. The reviewer must have experience in the area in which they are reviewing.
2. All reviews will be bylined and labeled as the opinions of their authors.
3. The intent of all reviews will be to evaluate and inform, not to promote.
4. Evaluative criteria used will be determined by Editorial Board depending on whether the event or item being reviewed is professional or amateur in nature.
5. Review ideas may be submitted to the Editorial Board by all members of the Pioneer Press.
6. All reviews must first be reviewed by the Editors prior to publishing.
7. All reviews need to be reviewed and printed in a current and timely manner.

SOCIAL MEDIA

1. Social media may be used to promote The Pioneer Press, to promote published content and to engage the Boswell community.
2. Where possible, the Editorial Board reserves the right to remove comments that violate any provisions hitherto outlined by this policy.
3. Information posted on social media platforms should be held to the same standard as all other reporting in terms of information gathering and fact checking.
4. ThePress’ social media accounts should avoid promotion of events and remain objective, reporting what is fact. Reporters using personal social media to cover events should do the same.
5. Information gained through social media channels should be verified through multiple channels before passing it along to others.
6. Audience engagement through social media should be done in a professional manner.
7. Transparency is important. Mistakes made on social media posts should be corrected as soon as possible and any deleted posts should be acknowledged in subsequent postings.

PUBLICITY

The Press shall continuously strive to promote itself and expand its audience.

PRIOR REVIEW POLICY

1. Sources will be able to have quotes read back at the time of interview or at reporter’s initiative for the purpose of verification.
2. Sources will not be able to arbitrarily demand to read the reporter’s completed story and then perform editing tasks on that story.
3. Reporters will endeavor to include the name and identity of all sources so long as the reporter believes that doing so will not result in endangerment, harassment or any other form of undue physical, mental, emotional anguish for the source.
4. The Press reporters will not, within all boundaries of law, reveal a source who asks to remain nameless.
5. All media interviewers will respect the interviewee’s rights to have information remain “off the record,” but only if the fact is known before giving the information to the interviewer.
6. Aside from the adviser, no publication will be reviewed by anyone outside of the Editorial Board prior to its release to the public. The adviser shall review the publication for the sole purpose of acting as legal consultant and educator in regard to unprotected speech and journalistic standards. The adviser’s review is not considered prior review unless he/she makes changes or directs changes contrary to this Policy.

STUDENT & STAFF COVERAGE

1. All students and staff of Boswell High School are eligible for publication in the Press.
2. Any student wishing to ‘opt out’ of being published in the Press must fill out the appropriate form provided by the school district.
3. All efforts will be made to keep students who have ‘opted out’ of coverage from publication in the Pioneer Press.

VII. STAFF POLICY FOR SELECTION AND DISMISSAL

EDITOR AND STAFF SELECTION PROCESS

1. Editors-in-Chief and other editor level positions are chosen by faculty adviser, with input from the previous year’s Editorial Board.
2. New and returning staff are judged by application, previous work, potential and prerequisite class work.
3. Applicants are not turned down because of age, race, sex, religion, mental or physical handicap that do not impair editorial responsibilities.
4. Staff applications are due in January of each year prior to registration.
5. The staff and editors are selected prior to registration each January. Theadviser reserves the right to make changes to the list as he/she deems necessary after the registration deadline.
6. Editor titles and positions are not named until after all media have finalized publication for the previous year.

REGARDING STAFF DISMISSAL

1. All individuals involved with The Pioneer Press are considered a team. Each member is expected to complete all assigned stories, pages, photos, etc. on or before the assigned deadline.
2. Staff members, including editors, may be dismissed from their positions and/or the publications staff itself if any of following violations occur:
   • Continuously missed deadlines (subject to the discretion of the Editorial Board)
   • Plagiarism
   • Quote falsification
   • Vandalism or theft of publication equipment
   • Continuous negative or pessimistic attitude toward any staff member or adviser
   • Submitting an advanced page design, story, photo or other publishable item to anyone outside the media staff without approval by the Editorial Board
   • Two suspensions in one academic year, or any misdemeanor or felony conviction.
   • Failing to fulfill job as outlined in job description.
3. Major infractions will result in immediate dismissal from staff duties and dismissal from class and staff at the end of semester (major infractions include but are not limited to plagiarism, vandalism, theft).
4. Any editor will be stripped of his/her title if suspended.
5. Prior to dismissal, the Editorial Board and adviser will meet with the potentially dismissed student to discuss the issue. The adviser will make the final decision.
6. The academic nature of the school newspaper class allows removal of editors or staff members when school and or established media policy is violated.
7. A dismissed staff member receiving academic credit may be given a failing grade and will not be allowed to register for any other journalism courses (subject to school policy).
8. Dismissal procedures shall be reviewed and approved by the Editorial Board annually.
9. Any dismissed staff member may appeal his/her dismissal in writing to the Editorial Board within three school days following dismissal.
10. All dismissal appeals will be directed to the student’s disciplinary administrator and the Editorial Board.

QUERIES

1. Questions or complaints concerning material published in the media should be made in writing to the editor in chief(s) who will present the concern at the next scheduled Editorial Board meeting.
2. Resolutions will be made within the limits of deadlines.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILITAITON

The Pioneer Press should be a member of state, national, and/or international organizations.

Thank you to the Journalism Education Association and its contributors for model editorial policies. Thank you also to the Student Press Law Center for its continuing support.
-The Pioneer Press

Adopted Aug. 7, 2023
Editorial Board: Kiernan Lamar, Sarah Dancer, Allison Warren, Nadia Heth

Renewed Aug. 21, 2024
Editorial Board: Sarah Dancer, Nadia Heth, Benjamin Cuadros, Kailea Sisk, Adeline Belden, Alyssa Genberg

Renewed Aug. 20, 2025
Editorial Board: Daniela Arevalo, Adeline Belden, Taylor Davis, Geanna Dimopoulos, Quadry Drexler, Chloe Herrera, Isabella Wright