I just want to make sure that every student has their freedom of speech, and they can't stop us from expressing it. (Caption)

November 23rd, 2004 8:26 pm
Student's Shirt Spurs Review of Rules

By Michele Besso / The News Journal

DELEWARE -- A school's decision to order a student to cover a political statement on a T-shirt has led the Appoquinimink School District to plan a review of its policies to ensure free speech rights are balanced against the educational mission of the district.

Freedom of speech issues will be addressed at the district level on a case-by-case basis while the guidelines are reviewed, officials said Monday.

Once the review is complete, a guide will be developed, and administrators will get training to ensure consistency and legal compliance.

Steven Truszkowski, a student at Everett Meredith Middle School in Middletown, wore a white, short-sleeve T-shirt to school Friday with the words "The Real Terrorist Is In The White House" written in black on the front and "End The Tyranny" written on the back.

School officials told him the shirt was inappropriate, and if he didn't cover it up, he would be suspended.

Truszkowski, 13, covered it up as he had two other times he had worn it to school, but this time he confronted the principal about the school dress code.

The teen felt the school infringed on his First Amendment right to free speech. He said he felt his rights were violated because he wore a shirt expressing his views against the war in Iraq.

After hearing Monday of the district's decision to review its policies, Truszkowski said, "I think it's nice that they are going to review their policies, but I just want to make sure that every student has their freedom of speech, and they can't stop us from expressing it."

He added that he'll probably wear the T-shirt again, "but I'm not going to wear it a bunch of times to rub it in their faces."

Drewry Fennell, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware, said she's glad to hear that the district plans to create a policy that will address free speech.

"I think it has long been the law that students do not leave their free speech rights at the schoolhouse door," Fennell said. "Where people are upset about speech, it's because speech is controversial, but controversial topics are what we need to discuss in schools.

"I hope that their policy review results in robust protection and that they train administrators to deal appropriately with issues of free speech."

According to the school dress code, student apparel that is distracting or "contains derogatory phrases, profanity or glorifies violence" is not permitted to be worn. While the dress code does not specifically address clothing with a political message, the shirt is clearly inappropriate, district spokeswoman Lillian Miles said. She said several students have complained about the shirt.

Truszkowski's mother, Karen Piser, said she supports her son.

"I think the district has come to the realization that students do have the right to express their opinions, political or otherwise," she said. "It might have been better if it happened sooner."