(May 5, 2015 –
Hampton, IA) – Hampton-Dumont Community School District has acknowledged errors
in the application of its school club policies in response to Thomas More Society’s demand letter, which was sent in April on behalf of student Isabell
Akers and Students for Life of America. The letter charged that Hampton-Dumont
High School had unconstitutionally discriminated against Isabell by denying her
equal rights with other clubs when she requested to form a Students for Life
club. The District is now reviewing both the policies themselves and how
the policies apply to each club at the school, in order to bring both into full
compliance with the law.
“We are
encouraged by the District’s response in stepping up to remedy misapplications
of the existing policies, which had resulted in pro-life students not being
given the same treatment as other student-led clubs,” said Jocelyn Floyd,
Associate Counsel for Thomas More Society. “This situation has given the school
administrators an opportunity to clarify their District’s protections for
broad, vibrant free speech rights for all students at Hampton-Dumont High
School, including pro-life students.”
“We are pleased
that, just as soon as the District has completed its revisions to the student
club policies, the Students for Life club at Hampton-Dumont High School will be
permitted the same opportunities as all other student-led clubs to share their
opinions and engage in activities on their school campus,” said Kristan
Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America.
Senior Isabell
Akers is preparing to graduate and pass the baton to her fellow pro-life
students at Hampton-Dumont High School, who are eager to exercise their First
Amendment rights with a lively Hampton-Dumont Students for Life club in the fall.
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