For those of us who are fascinated by the First Amendment and its applications in an education setting, two recent developments in Free Speech school litigation are worth noting. While both cases are outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the topics addressed are faced by districts in communities across the country. Roosevelt UFSD v. Wantagh UFSD et al. (Eastern Dist. N.Y. March … [Read more...] about Two Recent Developments in School First Amendment Litigation
First Amendment
Free Speech in Schools: Understanding the Line Between Student Expression and Disruption
KingSpry Education Lunch and Learn | Webinar School leaders are invited to join us for a webinar training on student speech and the First Amendment, part of our 2025-2026 KingSpry Lunch and Learn season. In a session led by Education Chair Emeritus John Freund and litigator Shorav Kaushik, we will explore the boundaries of student speech rights under the First Amendment, including on-campus, … [Read more...] about Free Speech in Schools: Understanding the Line Between Student Expression and Disruption
U.S. District Court Dismisses Norwin School District School Board Members’ First Amendment Lawsuit Against Norwin School District and Former Superintendent
On May 29, 2025, a federal judge out of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania dismissed a Norwin School Board member’s lawsuit filed against the Norwin School District (“District”)and its former superintendent alleging First Amendment violations. Background in the Case On October 25, 2022, the school board member posted a satirical meme on the Norwin Area … [Read more...] about U.S. District Court Dismisses Norwin School District School Board Members’ First Amendment Lawsuit Against Norwin School District and Former Superintendent
Can a School Board Member Block a Critical Parent on Social Media? SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Case
While social media can be an effective and efficient tool to communicate with parents and other stakeholders, its role in public education has come under scrutiny in recent years and has even landed some school districts in the middle of lawsuits. One lawsuit likely to shed some light on what school board members can and cannot do when using their social media accounts is O’Connor-Ratcliff v. … [Read more...] about Can a School Board Member Block a Critical Parent on Social Media? SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Case
In The Court of First Amendment Law, Satan Club: 1, School District: 0
A U.S. District Court has granted preliminary injunction permitting the Satan Club to use a school district’s facilities. What are the central issues and how should school districts handle these questions in light of the recent trend for courts to find in favor of free speech? On May 1, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge John M. Gallagher ordered Saucon Valley School District to permit the … [Read more...] about In The Court of First Amendment Law, Satan Club: 1, School District: 0
Right To Be Rude at Public Meetings Remains
On March 19, 2023, the Sunday New York Times featured a story on the recent Massachusetts Supreme Court decision that reaffirmed what constitutes appropriate commentary when it upheld an individual’s right to be rude at public meetings. The Case This decision follows the case of Barron v. Kolenda, brought about by Southborough, Massachusetts resident, Louise Barron (“Barron”). In December … [Read more...] about Right To Be Rude at Public Meetings Remains
