Web criticism of school, from home, prompts suspensions, lawsuit (WTF?)

[ChoralScholar]

From the Arkansas Times - Sept. 9, 2004
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Can high school students really be suspended for posting typical criticism of school officials on the Internet?

The principal of Greenwood High School thinks so. Now, it's a federal case.

The principal, Jerry Efurd, suspended four students, all seniors, on Aug. 24 for comments - and, in one case, a comic strip - they'd posted on private web sites, using their home computers after school hours.

The parents of two boys filed for an injunction, and a hearing on Friday, Sept. 3 lasted more than six hours. U.S. Magistrate Judge Beverly Stipes-Jones decided to give both sides until Sept. 15 to file motions summarizing their case.
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http://www.arktimes.com/reporter/040909reportera.html

Is anyone else flabbergasted at the nerve of this school district?!?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Sadly, no I'm not flabbergasted

As public officials, school officials are open to sarcasm, satire, and ridicule, just like anyone else.

Let those kids go free!!! They can say what they want, as long as they follow the law in terms of libel and slander.

It's time to put an end to this bullshit "students can't speak out against their schools, even in their off time" bullshit.

Fucking neocon republican fucks. Assholes don't even like public education, I don't get why they stick their fuckin' hands into it so much.

[sam sarrha]

2. dumbass judge that couldnt figure that our for himself in 3 seconds..

[ChoralScholar]

3. that's what I'm thinking...

Tinker v. Des Moines (1968) protects free speech as long as it is not 'disruptive to the educational process'

Pretty clear to me.

[havocmom]

4. Under NCLB, military recruiters get contact info on all juniors & seniors

unless parents take action to inform the schools they do not wish the info released. But those same kids don't have free speech rights?
Uh-huh, that makes sense. Hope the brown-shirt sons of bitches lose their credentials over this little waltz on rights.