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Portfolio Assignment 2

Kara Ozuna

Portfolio Assignment 2

EDU 210

Dr. Isbell

CSN

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The principal, Freddy Watts and the assistant principal, Jimmy Brothers are both African-

American administrators. They are assigned to a predominantly black high school. Ann Griffin, a

white teacher, during a argument with the two administrators stated that she “hated all black

folks.” When word got around about her statement, it caused negative reactions among

colleagues both black and white. Freddy Watts recommended dismissal based on concerns

regarding her ability to treat students fairly and her judgement and competency as a teacher.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969) will be the first case presented

that’s in favor of Freddy Watt’s dismissal against Ann Griffin. In the case Tinker v. Des Moines

Independent School District (1969) a group of students were showing support for a truce in the

Vietnam War. They decided to wear armbands thought out the holiday season and to fast on

December 16 and New Years Eve. The principals heard about this plan and met on December 14

to create a policy that stated that any student wearing an armband would be asked to remove it. If

the student refused they would be suspended. On December 16, Mary Beth Tinker and

Christoper Eckhardt wore the armbands and refused to take them off. They were sent home. The

students did not return to school until after New Years Day. Through their parents, the students

decided to sue the school district for violating their right of expression. The district court

dismissed the case and held that the school districts actions were reasonable to uphold school

discipline.

Spence v. Washington (1974) will be the second case presented that’s in favor of Freddy

Watt’s dismissal against Ann Griffin. In the case Spence v. Washington (1974) Harold Spence

displayed an American flag with a peace symbol made out of removable tape on it outside of his

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home. When officers came to his house he offered to take the flag down. Hr was then arrested,

charged, and convicted under Washington statue for displaying an American flag that had figures

symbols or other extraneous material attached to it. Spence was not charged under the state flag

desecration statute. The Washington Court of Appeals reversed and reinstated the conviction.

The state of supreme court rejected Spence’s argument that the statute violated the First

Amendment and was unconstitutionally vague.

Pickering v. School Board of Education (1968) will be the first case that’s against Freddy

Watt’s dismissal against Ann Griffin. In the case Pickering v. School Board of Education (1968)

Marvin Pickering was terminated after writing a letter criticizing the school board and

superintendents. He stated that they were not being responsible with their handling of school

funds. The Supreme Court overturned the dismissal because teachers, as citizens, do have the

right to make comments about public concern. Pickering’s statements also did not affect anyone

he normally worked with on a daily basis and did not make any disruption to the operation of the

school. The Supreme Court overturned Pickering dismissal.

Mt. Healthy City School Dist. v. Doyle (1977) will be the second case that’s against

Freddy Watt’s dismissal against Ann Griffin. In the case Mt. Healthy City School Dist. v. Doyle

(1977) Fred Doyle a teacher of the Mt. Healthy City School District Board of Education from

1966 until 1971. In 1969, he was elected president of the Teachers Association. Doyle was

involved with a series of incidents bringing in 1970 where he behaved inappropriately toward

students and other staff members. In February 1971, Doyle went on the Cincinnati radio station

and regarded a proposed staff dress code to a disc jockey. One month later, the superintendent of

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the school district recommended that the board should not renew Doyle’s contract. Doyle

claimed that the boards refusal to rehire him violated his rights under the First and Fourteenth

Amendments. The court concluded that Doyle’s call to the radio station was protected by the

First Amendment and that the call played a huge part in the board’s decision not to rehire Doyle,

a violation of Doyle’s rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

My decision for Freddy Watt’s case is Ann Griffin is in the wrong. She should be

terminated from her job. She not only said something inappropriate to her administrators, but she

caused problems with her colleagues. Just because Ann Griffin has freedom of speech does not

mean she has the right to say “hated all black folk”. Her saying this has caused trouble between

coworkers and the administration.

Portfolio Assignment 2

MT. HEALTHY CITY BD. OF ED. DOYLE

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https://www.oyez.org/cases/1976/75-1278

TINKER V. DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1968/21

SPENCER V. WASHINGTON

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1973/72-1690