The short answer is “it depends.” If your comments amount to a threat to anyone or cause disruption at school, yes the school may discipline you.
J.S.* was an 8th grader from Pennsylvania. He created a website at home called “Teacher Sux.” He used profanity and made threats against his algebra teacher. As a result, the teacher suffered physically and emotionally. J.S. was expelled from school and lost his lawsuit against the school.
*J.S. v. Bethlehem Area School District, 807 A.2d 847 (2002).
On the other hand, Zachariah,** a junior at Franklin Regional High School, composed a “Top Ten” list against the school’s athletic director and emailed it to his friends. He was suspended for ten days for ‘verbal/written abuse of a staff member.’ The court set his punishment aside since the list didn’t disrupt school or interfere with anyone’s rights.
**Killion v. Franklin Regional School District, 136 F.Supp.2d 446 (2001).
18-year-old Nick*** drew his inspiration from a creative writing class at Kentlake High School in Washington. Students were asked to write their own obituaries. Nick took it a step further when he posted a webpage from home containing mock obituaries of his friends. A local TV station called it a hit-list and Nick was suspended. The court ruled in Nick’s favor since there was no evidence of a threat or intent to intimidate anyone.
***Emmett v. Kent School District (2000).
