Editor's Note: We don't normally host media releases on our blog and don't intend to make this a common practice. However, given the attention Senate Bill 54 has received we want to give our readers as much information as possible.
Press Release
Contact: Todd Fuller, Director of Communications
Phone: 573-442-3127
E-mail: tfuller@msta.org
August 26, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MSTA Wins Injunction against Social Networking Bill
Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem granted MSTA's request for a preliminary injunction this morning.
Judge Beetem found that based upon the evidence, teachers in Missouri use social media as one of their primary forms of communication.
Judge Beetem stated that the law "clearly prohibits communication between family members and their teacher parents using these types of sites. The Court finds that the statute would have a chilling effect on speech."
The judge also ordered that under this ruling teachers cannot be disciplined or suffer adverse consequences for using non-work related social media.
"This gives everyone time to debate and discuss the issue to come to a proper resolution rather than rushing to piece together language that doesn't resolve the concerns of educators or allow time for teacher input," said MSTA Legal Counsel, Gail McCray.
Judge Beetem has issued the injunction to be effective for 180 days. It will expire on February 20, 2012 and will allow a trial before the statute is implemented.
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To read the ruling, click here.
ABOUT: The Missouri State Teachers Association is the largest education organization in the state, with more than 44,000 members and over 150 years of service to Missouri educators. The association’s headquarters is in Columbia, Mo., with regional field representatives throughout the state. MSTA has no national affiliation.
Will be following this case closely, given that it could add to the prominent case laws Pickering (1968) and Garcetti (2006) regarding First Amendment rights for public employees.
Angie Hull
Columbia, Mo.
Posted by: Angie Hull | August 26, 2011 at 01:38 PM
The Government of the State of Missouri is doing the right innovation! I'd love to have similar changes have been!
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