March 26, 2019 at 05:41AM
Cheerleader who was kicked off her high school squad for posting 'f**k cheer' on Snapchat had her free speech rights violated, a judge rules
- The student was removed from her cheerleading squad by the Mahanoy Area School District back in 2017
- She posted a Snapchat that said 'f**k cheer' over a weekend, which another student then showed their coach
- The student then sued the school district with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania
- A judge ruled in the teen's favor on Thursday saying that the school could not punish her for out-of-school speech
The student (pictured) was removed from her cheerleading squad by the Mahanoy Area School District back in 2017 for posting 'f**k cheer' on Snapchat
A cheerleader who was kicked off her high school squad for posting 'f**k cheer' on Snapchat had her free speech rights violated, a federal judge has ruled.
The student was removed from her cheerleading squad by the Mahanoy Area School District back in 2017 after she posted the snap when she was out of school for the weekend.
The sophomore, who is referred to in court filings as B.L., sued the school district with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania over the decision to kick her off the squad.
A judge ruled in the teen's favor on Thursday saying that the school could not punish her for out-of-school speech just because it is inconsistent with teachings or because other students complained.
The school's cheerleading team rules ban students from posting any 'negative information' about cheerleading online.
The student had posted the Snapchat over a weekend in May 2017 when she didn't make varsity in her freshman year. The post included her holding up her middle finger with 'f**k school f**k softball f**k cheer f**k everything' written across it.
She was suspended by the coach when another student showed screenshots of the post saying it broke the cheer squad's rules.
A judge ruled in the teen's favor on Thursday saying that the school (pictured) could not punish her for out-of-school speech just because it is inconsistent with teachings or because other students complained
The school district issued a lengthy statement following the court's decision saying they were disappointed by the ruling
The judge ruled that the girl's post was protected speech.
The school district was ordered to pay damages of $1 and made to remove any disciplinary action records against the student.
B.L. was reinstated to the cheerleading team after she won a temporary restraining order in 2017 after taking legal action.
She continues to cheer for the school team.
The school district issued a lengthy statement following the court's decision saying they were disappointed by the ruling.
'The school board determined it was their obligation to support the coaches' decision to remove B.L. from the cheerleading team until the end of the school year for not following the cheerleading rules.
'B.L. agreed to these rules before joining the team and was given the opportunity to try out again the following year.
'The School Board firmly believes that extra-curricular activities are not a right. They are a privilege and coaches have the authority to make rules for their activity. School Boards and Administration need to support their coaches when rules are broken.
'We also want to stress that the student and her parents were aware of the rules and agreed to comply with them. The School District will allow the community to judge whether typical rules that are agreed upon before beginning an activity and as a condition for participation should be able to be enforced by school districts.
'The School District is trying to teach not only academic subjects, but also respectful behaviors. We want to thank all of the students who have abided by the rules and have acted respectfully.'
Cheerleader who was kicked off her high school squad for posting 'f**k cheer' on Snapchat had her free speech rights violated, a judge rules
- The student was removed from her cheerleading squad by the Mahanoy Area School District back in 2017
- She posted a Snapchat that said 'f**k cheer' over a weekend, which another student then showed their coach
- The student then sued the school district with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania
- A judge ruled in the teen's favor on Thursday saying that the school could not punish her for out-of-school speech
The student (pictured) was removed from her cheerleading squad by the Mahanoy Area School District back in 2017 for posting 'f**k cheer' on Snapchat
A cheerleader who was kicked off her high school squad for posting 'f**k cheer' on Snapchat had her free speech rights violated, a federal judge has ruled.
The student was removed from her cheerleading squad by the Mahanoy Area School District back in 2017 after she posted the snap when she was out of school for the weekend.
The sophomore, who is referred to in court filings as B.L., sued the school district with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania over the decision to kick her off the squad.
A judge ruled in the teen's favor on Thursday saying that the school could not punish her for out-of-school speech just because it is inconsistent with teachings or because other students complained.
The school's cheerleading team rules ban students from posting any 'negative information' about cheerleading online.
The student had posted the Snapchat over a weekend in May 2017 when she didn't make varsity in her freshman year. The post included her holding up her middle finger with 'f**k school f**k softball f**k cheer f**k everything' written across it.
She was suspended by the coach when another student showed screenshots of the post saying it broke the cheer squad's rules.
A judge ruled in the teen's favor on Thursday saying that the school (pictured) could not punish her for out-of-school speech just because it is inconsistent with teachings or because other students complained
The school district issued a lengthy statement following the court's decision saying they were disappointed by the ruling
The judge ruled that the girl's post was protected speech.
The school district was ordered to pay damages of $1 and made to remove any disciplinary action records against the student.
B.L. was reinstated to the cheerleading team after she won a temporary restraining order in 2017 after taking legal action.
She continues to cheer for the school team.
The school district issued a lengthy statement following the court's decision saying they were disappointed by the ruling.
'The school board determined it was their obligation to support the coaches' decision to remove B.L. from the cheerleading team until the end of the school year for not following the cheerleading rules.
'B.L. agreed to these rules before joining the team and was given the opportunity to try out again the following year.
'The School Board firmly believes that extra-curricular activities are not a right. They are a privilege and coaches have the authority to make rules for their activity. School Boards and Administration need to support their coaches when rules are broken.
'We also want to stress that the student and her parents were aware of the rules and agreed to comply with them. The School District will allow the community to judge whether typical rules that are agreed upon before beginning an activity and as a condition for participation should be able to be enforced by school districts.
'The School District is trying to teach not only academic subjects, but also respectful behaviors. We want to thank all of the students who have abided by the rules and have acted respectfully.'
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