Darien school board restricts free speech, later rescinds

Suspicious language in a statement from the Board of Education that appeared to restrict free speech rights is now under review after The Darien Times brought this concern to the school board.

The statement, delivered by board Chairman Betsy Hagerty-Ross on at least one occasion, restricted speakers from discussing their children at board meetings. After telling the audience that the board would not engage in dialogue with speakers, Hagerty-Ross said that any comments of a personal nature about your student, staff, or board member will not be permitted.

This statement is troublesome to experts of the First Amendment, the clause in the U.S. Bill of Rights that establishes free speech as a cornerstone of the democratic process. Rose Cavanagh, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said Hagerty-Rosss statement seemed overbroad to prohibit parents to speak about their children.

Given the controversy surrounding the schools actions of late with regards to students rights, it may be more prudent for the Board of Education to allow parents to express the students perspectives, Cavanagh told The Darien Times.

The Board of Education has taken unprecedented and expensive steps to fix an assortment of legal problems with its special education programming.

Problems included a lack of communication with parents from the school board and administration. Part of the districts mitigation effort has been the addition of a public comment section during school board meetings.

Top 10 of 2013: No. 1 Special education

Communication woes run deeper than special ed

School board critics and supporters alike have lauded this effort. However, the directive to restrict parents has some concerned.

Ken Paulson, a lawyer and president of the First Amendment Center, said that this restriction would also prevent parents from sharing good news about their children.

See the article here:
Darien school board restricts free speech, later rescinds