Guiles Ex Rel. Lucas v. Marineau

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

SESSIONS, Chief Judge.

I. Introduction

This case requires the Court to balance the important values of a public school student’s right to free speech and the authority of school officials to control the learning environment. The controversy here arose when a student, Zachary Guiles (“Zach”), at Williamstown Middle High School (“WMHS”) wore a T-shirt critical of President George W. Bush. School administrators determined that the T-shirt was unacceptable school dress in so far as it contained images depicting drugs and alcohol. Zach was told that he could…