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High school newspaper editors: Adviser could get punishment for controversial issue

Posted at 8:16 PM, Oct 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-27 21:11:57-04

PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- The editors of a student newspaper at a central Indiana high school are in the middle of a controversy with the high school's administrators. 

The incident started with the Oct. 23 issue of "The Shakedown," the student newspaper of Plainfield High School. The issue focused on dating in high school. 

The issue defined terms like "friends with benefits" and "polyamory," according to a release co-signed by the editors and the Student Press Law Center, a non-profit organization that works with student journalists nationwide.

“We chose the topic of dating to inform the student body about relationships and the different aspects that come with them," said Kayla Mays, one of the newspaper's editors. "Dating is and has always been a significant facet of the high school setting. Students should be educated on situations they could encounter at this stage in life.” 

According to the newspaper's editors, the issue has come under scrutiny from the high school's administrators. The editors are concerned about possible punishment for the paper's adviser, including a possible suspension. 

The students say a board meeting will take place Thursday, where they plan to have their voices heard on the controversy.

A spokesperson for the Plainfield Community School Corporation said a special meeting is not planned, that no censorship has or is taking place, and that no disciplinary action has taken place toward students.

She also says any disciplinary action involving staff is a personnel issue and the school system has no comment on that.

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