School Lawyer Limited My Story

To the Editor:

Recently, you may have seen my story I wrote from a student perspective on the bond proposal. You would’ve seen it earlier if I hadn’t run into legal trouble. Now, even though I wasn’t arrested, my words were detained. After my story went through layers of review before it could be submitted, it was suggested by the school lawyer to remove the quotes from teachers, to protect them, as they are not allowed to use school time or school equipment to discuss the bond.

Now listen, I’m all for teachers keeping their jobs. They’re superheroes in disguise and in this economy, they need jobs. But - the entire reason I had to scrap the story is because their interviews didn’t want to be seen as “influencing a vote.” Which is ironic considering every election involves influencing a vote. It’s all one big popularity contest and standing for something you believe in is the point of democracy.

While I understand this is to prevent teachers from influencing the vote, including students, as many of them are first-time voters, I don’t think any of the information stated was influencing, rather strictly information. While most of the information was positive, there were some negative factors too. I could see how it’s seen as influencing but it’s influencing both sides.

It just seems a little - dare I say - unconstitutional to limit speech on public topics. All elections involve candidates influencing the vote, whether it’s through commercials or big slogans plastered on walls. Everything is a popularity game, you just have to make enough people smile.

In all seriousness, teachers deserve to have a say in their opinions on a public matter. Being trained to stay quiet on something they believe in is unjust. Everyone deserves to have an opinion whether you agree or disagree.