Skip to main content

One Student's Stand Leads to Big Change for Her School District

CBN

Share This article

An Idaho school district will now allow all students to participate in school activities, thanks to one student's willingness to take a stand.

In the past, Cassia County School District prohibited homeschoolers, online students, and seminary students from participating in clubs and student government because of their enrollment status. 

Sierra Norman was one of them. The former student was denied the chance to run for class president because she was taking classes online.

With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, she fought back, suing the school district.

"Students across the state should know that state law has long protected students to ensure that they have access to student activities like student government," said Richard Eppink, legal director for the ACLU of Idaho. "And so if they're being denied those opportunities we would be interested in hearing from them, the ACLU of Idaho would be."

Finally, after a two-year fight, the Cassia County School District agreed to amend their policy to allow all students to participate equally in school activities, including the student government. 

"Both parties were able to work and come to a mutually acceptable solution," Debbie Critchfield, of the Cassia County School District, said.
 

Share This article