In Indiana, 2 teenage girls who posted pictures of themselves on MySpace pretending to kiss or lick a novelty lollipop shaped like a phallus and wearing lingerie pasted with dollar bills are now suing their school district, claiming that their exclusion from extracurricular activities is unconstitutional. The Principal of Churubusco High School, after learning of the pictures, excluded the girls from extra-curricular activities, including athletics. The exclusion comports with the policy of the Churubusco High School, which vests administrative authority in the Principal to “exclude any student athlete from representing Churubusco High School if his/her conduct in or out of school reflects discredit upon Churubusco High School or creates a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment …” The Principal determined that the inappropriate pictures reflected poorly on Churubusco High School.

The ACLU is representing the students at issue, who claim that the policy impermissibly restricts the students’ First Amendment rights to free expression. A copy of the complaint can be found here.

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Photo of Anne H. Littlefield Anne H. Littlefield

Anne represents schools in labor relations, employment and education law, including collective bargaining, personnel policies and practices, constitutional law, special education, student discipline, freedom of information, and education policies. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of schools, including representation in interest arbitration…

Anne represents schools in labor relations, employment and education law, including collective bargaining, personnel policies and practices, constitutional law, special education, student discipline, freedom of information, and education policies. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of schools, including representation in interest arbitration proceedings as needed. Anne works with schools to address issues such as bullying and sexual harassment. She is often called upon to advise schools regarding professional boundaries and child abuse and neglect issues.  In her role as general counsel to boards of education around the state, Anne facilitates self-evaluation and goal-setting sessions. She also leads Shipman & Goodwin’s model policy project, which provides policy support and guidance to a number of school districts.

Anne serves as General Counsel to Shipman & Goodwin. From 2010 through 2017, she was Co-Chair of the firm’s School Law Practice Group, and from 2011 through 2017, she served on the firm’s seven-member Management Committee.