April 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
media@aclu.org HOLLAND, OH- The
American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said today that it will defend the free
speech rights of a student who was expelled for posting a spoof profile on
MySpace.com, an online social networking site used mostly by teenagers and young
adults.
“The profile was an obvious joke,” said ACLU of Ohio
Legal Director Jeffrey Gamso. “If we are going to expel students for
poking fun -- even offensive fun -- at a teacher or principal, our classrooms
will be empty and our hopes to educate will be in vain.”
On
Wednesday, April 26, the Springfield School Board, located in Lucas County
outside of Toledo, will hear the expulsion appeal of Jessica Schoch. Jessica was
expelled from school when administrators discovered a parody profile of the
Assistant Principal she created from her home and her own computer on
MySpace.com.
“Countless courts have recognized that
the First Amendment allows students to write about schools and staff members so
long as students are not disrupting class by creating these web pages using
school resources or while the student is on the premises,” said ACLU of Ohio
cooperating counsel Arnold Gottlieb.
Jessica has a 3.5 grade point
average and is a member of the softball team. She has received some home
education but has been unable to participate in extra-curricular activities
since her expulsion nearly a month ago. According to Ohio law, the school board
hearing will be the last before her expulsion is final.
“I have
faith that the local school board will do the right thing and rescind Jessica’s
expulsion,” Gottlieb said. “Schools have an obligation to teach students
fundamental principles such as free speech and I believe the school board will
honor the Constitution and right this situation.”
