Portrait of controversy

Within limits, students in public schools have a First Amendment right to wear expressive clothing, jewelry and haircuts, and some have successfully sued their schools when forced to change their appearance. But there are no published court rulings addressing whether that right extends to a student’s choice of apparel for a yearbook portrait. And the issue is complicated by the fact that other students’ First Amendment rights – the editors’ – can override the individual students’ stylistic choices.

Judge finds third Nebraska student’s rights were not violated in “RIP” dispute

A federal judge ruled in favor of the Millard Public School District on Monday, after a jury was unable to decide whether the district violated a student’s First Amendment rights when she was disciplined for wearing “RIP” clothing.Cassie, Dan and Nick Kuhr were suspended for wearing “Julius RIP” clothing and accessories following the death of a friend in gang-related violence.