Portland Schools Rescind Mother’s Ban in Settlement

Two school-district disputes over parents’ speech ended with policy changes and limits on districts’ actions. In Missouri, Kearney School District agreed not to block parents from its social media pages because of their viewpoints after it deleted and blocked Annie Palmer’s critical response to a principal hiring announcement; it will also finalize social-media rules and train employees. In Portland, the district agreed to rescind its trespass notice and warning against Allison Roberts, who had criticized gender-identity curriculum and distributed literature on a public sidewalk. The agreement recognizes her right to peacefully distribute literature and criticize district policies, allows her children to opt out of certain LGBTQ-related lessons and activities, and requires a review of the district’s harassment policies. Portland Public Schools had accused Roberts of harassment, while the legal advocates representing both parents framed the resolutions as protections for First Amendment rights.