Tag Archives: education

Fight for Freedom

In Texas, a newly introduced TikTok ban and its apparent subsequent restraints on the ability to exercise full academic freedom is the subject of a recent lawsuit filed by the group, The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. Academic freedom not only affords the opportunity for professors to conduct research and teach an array of topics and ideas without the fear of censure, but also allows students to engage in thought processes and debates without the anxiety of potential retaliation. The lawsuit names Texas Governor Greg Abbott and additional state entities and public university personnel as defendants.

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District Learns Lesson

Teacher learning to cope

A Newport News, VA teacher has filed a $40 million lawsuit against her previous employer, Richneck Elementary School. Specifically, the teacher has named defendants, including the Newport News School Board, the superintendent of schools, principal, and assistant principal. According to the educator, who is seeking a jury trial in the case, claims that despite the multiple warnings and suspicions provided to her superiors, she was placed in imminent danger in her position at the school. One of her minor elementary school students shot her, causing subsequent pain and anguish. Continue reading →

Access Denied for Some Students

School board decision

Earlier this year, in March, former students sued a San Francisco school board of education citing Brown Act violations. Specifically, members of the Friends of Lowell Foundation have alleged that the decision to alter existing merit-based admissions standards was secretly conducted and failed to offer adequate opportunities for community engagement and analysis. The Brown Act enforces government operated or funded entities, such as the school district and the San Francisco Board of Education, to discuss business measures in open meetings. The Friends of Lowell Foundation has now teamed up with two additional associations to request an injunction related to the case. Continue reading →

Traveling a Slippery Slope

Dangerous terrain

A school committed to providing an education on avalanche safety is now the topic of a recent lawsuit. The family of Peter Marshall is suing Silverton Avalanche School, among other defendants, for wrongful death. According to the lawsuit, on January 5, 2019, there was a misjudgment of how steep the slope was, as well as the potential to cause an avalanche. Two avalanches were triggered, which led to Marshall getting trapped under several feet of snow. The guide, Zachary Lovell, and the remaining students searched for Marshall but were unable to find him until 50 minutes after the second avalanche. Continue reading →

Handcuff Lawsuit Secures a Settlement

Cuffs are costly

Following an October 2015 incident concerning a seven-year-old child being placed in handcuffs at school, the parties involved have recently agreed to settle for $40,000. Half will be paid by the city of Flint, Michigan, and the other will be paid by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. The mother of the young boy, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, filed the lawsuit in 2018. The police were called after the child kicked an object and ran on bleachers while participating in an after-school activity. In order to calm the child, a resource officer handcuffed his hands behind his back for almost an hour. The apparent reason for the prolonged detainment was that the officer was not able to locate a key to unlock the handcuffs. Continue reading →