Document: 439 U.S. 410 99 S.Ct. 693 58 L.Ed.2d 619 Bessie B. GIVHAN, Petitioner,v.WESTERN LINE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT et al. No. 77-1051. Argued Nov. 7, 1978. Decided Jan. 9, 1979. Syllabus After petitioner was dismissed from her employment as a teacher, she intervened in desegregation action against respondent School District seeking reinstatement on the ground, inter alia, that dismissal infringed right of free speech under First and Fourteenth Amendments. In an effort to justify dismissal, introduced evidence of, series private encounters between school principal which allegedly made "petty unreasonable demands" manner variously described by "insulting," "hostile," "loud," "arrogant." Concluding primary reason for petitioner's criticism District's practices policies, conceived be racially discriminatory, Court held violated Amendment rights ordered reinstatement. The Appeals reversed, holding Pickering v. Board Education, 391 563, 88 1731, 20 811; Perry Sindermann, 408 593, 92 2694, 33 570; Mt. Healthy City Bd. Ed. Doyle, 429 274, 97 568, 50 471, complaints opinions were not protected because they expressed privately principal, there is no constitutional "press even 'good' ideas unwilling recipient." Held : A public employee does forfeit his protection governmental abridgment freedom when he arranges communicate with employer rather than express views publicly. Pp. 413-417. (a) Pickering, Perry, do support Appeals' conclusion expression unprotected Amendment. fact each those cases involved critical decision. 414-415. (b) Nor view supported "captive audience" rationale, since having opened office door petitioner, hardly position argue "unwilling recipient" views. P. 415. (c) Respondents' claim, rejected Appeals, decision terminate would have been if had never occurred called factual determination could not, record, resolved court, it presented Court, Mt decided after trial this case. 416-417. 555 F.2d 1309, vacated part remanded. David Rubin, Washington, D. C., petitioner. J. Robertshaw, Greenville, Miss., respondents. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner Givhan junior high English teacher at end 1970-1971 year.1 At time termination, Western Line Consolidated subject order entered United States Northern Mississippi. filed complaint intervention action, dual grounds nonrenewal contract rule laid down Fifth Circuit Singleton Jackson Municipal Separate District, 419 1211 (1969), rev'd remanded sub nom. Carter West Feliciana Parish Board, 396 290, 90 608, 24 477 (1970), remand, 425 secured Amendments Constitution. show its justified, among other things,2 two-day bench trial, termination Finding "demands" but two occasions demands "were neither 'petty' nor 'unreasonable,' insomuch all question policies [the] [petitioner] discriminatory purpose or effect," concluded "the district's failure renew [petitioner's] district, especially assigned teach." App. Pet. Cert. 35a. Accordingly, rights, enunciated 570 (1972), 811 (1968), 2 reversed. Ayers Consol. Dist., 1309 (1977). Although found Court's findings clearly erroneous, Support proposition thought derived supra, 471 (1977), contain "[t]he strong implication . constitutionally protected." F.2d, 1318. also recipient," saying afford employees such "would effect force principals ombudsmen, damnable well laudable expressions." Id., 1319. We are unable agree one's beyond protection, therefore reverse judgment remand case so may consider contentions parties freed erroneous 3 This decisions forfeits decides While arose context employee's expression, them dependent largely coincidental fact. 4 discharged publicly criticizing, letter published local newspaper, board's handling prior bond issue proposals subsequent allocation financial resources schools' educational athletic programs. Noting absolute, determining whether government protected, interests [employee], citizen, commenting upon matters concern" must balanced interest State, employer, promoting efficiency services performs through employees." U.S., S.Ct., 1734. circumstances administration limiting teachers' opportunities contribute debate [was] significantly greater similar contribution any member general public." 573, 1737. Here read turn working relationship different Pickering,3 evidenced reference own Abbott Thetford, 534 1101 (1976) (en banc), cert. denied, 430 954, 1598, 51 804 But we feel confident placed ground notwithstanding require same sort balancing expression.4 5 out disputes teachers their employers. As noted, however, these rationale. Having 6 forbids "freedom speech." Neither itself our indicate lost who spread before public. decline adopt 7 pending appeal decided. reinstated whenever conduct plays "substantial" employer's terminate. Such and, consequently, "could place better result exercise occupied done nothing." 285, 575. Thus, once has shown played role rehire him, entitled "by preponderance reached [the employee's] reemployment absence conduct." 287, 576. 8 instant respondents' claim occurred: 9 "The [trial] court did make finding made, record [respondents] seriously cannot, without regard 'demands.' Appellants seem shows proving made. Therefore failed successful 'same anyway' defense." 1315. 10 Since tried decided, surprising respondents attempt prove absent consideration "demands." came very much posture And while "criticism" "primary" her, find rehired criticism. Appeals.5 11 insofar relates further proceedings consistent opinion. 12 So ordered. 13 STEVENS, concurring. 14 Because announced case, expressly engaged conduct. find, decision.* regarded foreclosing respondents'Mt. claim. essence, appropriate access 15 My understanding Appeals'. Nevertheless, I should opportunity decide need issue. If regards present adequate enable supplement original taking additional evidence, so. On understanding, join dated July 28, 1971, Superintendent C. L. Morris gave following reasons contract: "(1)[A] flat refusal administer standardized national tests pupils your charge; (2) intention co-operate Glen Allan Attendance Center; (3) antagonistic hostile attitude Center demonstrated throughout year." addition set Superintendent's n. 1, advanced several justifications dealt allegations footnote: "Appellants sought establish bases rehire: (1) 'downgraded' papers white students; one number walked meeting about fall 1969 attempted disrupt blowing automobile horns outside gymnasium; district received threat return work schools reopened unitary basis February, 1970; (4) student during weapons shakedown Riverside March, 1970, concealing student's knife until completion search. first three points inconclusive judge err rejecting ignoring it. admitted fourth incident, properly justification being rehired, principal] relied making recommendation." 1313 (CA5 1977). upholding teacher's influenced statements adversely affected objects criticism: [were] way directed towards person whom appellant normally contact course daily teacher. Thus maintaining either discipline immediate superiors harmony coworkers here. Appellant's relationships somewhat lesser extent, superintendent kind close can persuasively claimed personal loyalty confidence necessary proper functioning." 569-570, 1735. Amendment's extends striking balance involve considerations. When speaks publicly, generally content assessed determine "in impeded performance duties classroom interfered regular operation generally." 572-573, Private some situations bring factors calculus. personally confronts superior, employing agency's institutional threatened only message manner, time, delivered. cannot admit argument terminated regardless Even based detailed nn. 2, strike us surprising. Additionally, setting forth makes mention "criticism." See supra. * id., 36a, where stated activity "almost entirely" responsible termination.

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