Like lots of kids in school everywhere, Sean O'Brien of Westlake High School in suburban Cleveland has some strong opinions about the adults designated to help mold him in the ways of academe.
Unlike many, the 16-year-old junior published his opinions about one particular teacher on his Web page.
His site features a picture of O'Brien's band teacher, about whom O'Brien wrote: "He likes to involve himself in everything you do, demands that band be your No. 1 priority, and favors people." An added poke: He described the teacher as "an overweight middle-aged man who doesn't like to get haircuts."
O'Brien's flexing of his First Amendment rights got him kicked out of school for 10 days. The punishment, in turn, brought lawyers into the fray as O'Brien filed a lawsuit seeking US$550,000 on grounds that his rights had been violated. Thursday, a federal judge told Westlake to admit O'Brien immediately and to keep its nose out of his Web writings pending a hearing in two weeks.
The judge's order permits O'Brien to republish the writings he took down after he was suspended. He told the Associated Press he won't do that, pending an appeal to a much higher court.
"I'm not sure my dad will let me,'' he said.
