Legal Document

391 U.S. 563 88 Supreme Court Reporter 1731 20 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 811 Marvin L. PICKERING, Appellant,v.BOARD OF EDUCATION TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 205, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Number 510. Argued March 27, 1968. Decided June 3, John Ligtenberg, Chicago, Ill., for appellant. Federal KF105 F3 Cirricione, Joliet, appellee. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellant Pickering, a teacher in Township High School District Will County, Illinois, was dismissed from his position by appellee Board Education sending letter to local newspaper connection with recently proposed tax increase that critical way which and district superintendent schools had handled past proposals raise new revenue schools. Appellant's dismissal resulted determination Board, after full hearing, publication 'detrimental efficient operation administration district' hence, under relevant Illinois statute, Ill.Rev.Stat., chapter 122, § 10—22.4(1963), 'interests require(d) (his dismissal).' 2 claim writing protected First Fourteenth Amendments rejected. then sought review Board's action Circuit affirmed on ground appellant's detrimental interests school system supported substantial evidence overruled Amendment rights. On appeal, two Justices dissenting, judgment 36 Ill.2d 568, 225 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd (1967). We noted probable jurisdiction statute permitting facts this case unconstitutional as applied Amendments.1 389 925 291, 19 276 For reasons detailed below we agree rights freedom speech were violated reverse. I. 3 In February 1961 asked voters approve bond issue $4,875,000 erect The proposal defeated. Then, December 1961, submitted another called raising $5,500,000 build This second passed built money raised sales. May 1964 rate be used educational purposes Finally, September 19, 1964, likewise It last appellant wrote editor (which reproduce an Appendix opinion) dismissal. 4 Prior vote variety articles attributed 205 Teachers' Organization appeared paper. These urged passage stated failure pass would result decline quality education afforded children district's A making same point published paper days before election mimeographed form following day. response foregoing material, together pass, question 5 constituted, basically, attack handling its subsequent allocation financial resources between schools' athletic programs. also charged attempting prevent teachers opposing or criticizing issue. 6 Pickering publishing letter. Pursuant law, required hold hearing At numerous statements false unjustifiably impugned 'motives, honesty, integrity, truthfulness, responsibility competence' both administration. damaged professional reputations members administrators, disruptive faculty discipline, tend foment 'controversy, conflict dissension' among teachers, Education, residents district. Testimony introduced witnesses truth falsity particular took found charged. No at any proceedings effect community whole particular, no specific findings along these lines made. 7 courts reviewed solely determine whether whether, found, could reasonably conclude best schools.' Pickering's rejected acceptance teaching public obliged him refrain about 'which absence such he have undoubted right engage in.' is not altogether clear held Amemdment applicability it determined made entitled protection. 8 event, clearly that, case, constitutionally position. II. 9 To extent Court's may read suggest compelled relinquish they otherwise enjoy citizens comment matters interest work, proceeds premise has been unequivocally prior decisions E.g., Wieman versus Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 L.Ed. 216 (1952); Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 81 247 (1960); Keyishian Regents, 385 589, 87 675 '(T)he theory employment denied subjected conditions, regardless how unreasonable, uniformly rejected.' supra, 605—606, 685. time cannot gainsaid State employer regulating employees differ significantly those possesses regulation citizenry general. problem arrive balance teacher, citizen, commenting upon concern State, employer, promoting efficiency services performs through employees. III. 10 contends 'the virtue duty loyalty support superiors attaining generally accepted goals if must speak out publicly, should do so factually accurately, commensurate experience.' Appellant, other hand, argues test applicable defamatory directed against officials persons having occupational relationship them, namely, legally actionable 'with knowledge (they were) * reckless disregard not,' New York Times company Sullivan, 376 254, 280, 84 710, 726, 11 686 (1964), teachers. Because enormous fact situations thought their superiors, whom are furnish grounds dismissal, deem either appropriate feasible attempt lay down general standard all judged. However, course evaluating conflicting claims protection need orderly context shall indicate some analysis controlling run. An examination objected Board2 reveals they, like whole, consist essentially criticism funds programs, superintendent's methods informing, preventing informing of, taxpayers real why additional revenues being towards person normally contact daily work teacher. Thus maintaining discipline immediate harmony coworkers presented here. relationships and, somewhat lesser extent, kind close working can persuasively claimed personal confidence necessary proper functioning. Accordingly, here taken even comments substantially correct, (1)—(4) letter, see Appendix, infra, sufficiently tone, reject it.3 12 next consider false. original charges included allegations controversy hearing. So far record reveals, greeted everyone but main target, massive apathy total disbelief. must, therefore, decided, perhaps analogy law libel, per se harmful 13 only conclude, absent actual contained therein equate members' own Certainly accusation too much spent athletics administrators precisely import portion containing false, infra) regarded Such reflects rather difference preferable manner operating system, concerns interest. 14 addition, illustrations undesirable emphasis programs impact schools, beyond tendency anger Board. example, written defeat polls increase. could, ability revenue, since there showing taxes pending when written. 15 More importantly, requires matter legitimate administration, including cannot, society leaves questions popular vote, conclusive. free open debate vital informed decision-making electorate. Teachers are, class, most likely definite opinions allotted operations spent. essential able freely without fear retaliatory 16 amounts expended reported erroneously did qualify greater authority than taxpayer. easily rebutted errors accurate figures itself, via otherwise. thus situation carelessly closely related day-to-day difficult counter because teacher's presumed access facts. occasion circumstances board require make efforts verify accuracy them.4 17 What us erroneous issues currently subject attention, ultimate neither shown nor impeded performance duties classroom5 interfered regular generally. limiting teachers' opportunities contribute similar contribution member public. IV. 18 unhindered importance—the core value Free Speech Clause Amendment—is great authorize recovery damages official except falsity. 710 (1964); St. Amant Thompson, 390 727, 1323, 262 (1968). Compare Linn Plant Guard Workers, 383 53, 86 657, 582 (1966). suits invasion privacy based where 'matter interest' involved. Time, Incorporated Hill, 374, 534, 456 therefore perfectly public, State's power afford legal sue limited requirement judged laid Times. indicated, more terms, accorded despite nominal superiors. Garrison Louisiana, 379 64, 85 209, 125 Wood Georgia, 370 375, 82 1364, 569 (1962). Garrison, specifically involving criminal defamation conviction stemming attorney judges regularly appeared. While sanctions damage awards different exercise employment, apparent threat nonetheless potent means inhibiting speech. already our disinclination across-the-board equation remarks awarding libel suit criticism. present one, tangentially insubstantially involved communication regard seeks be. 21 sum, this, proof knowingly recklessly him,6 importance basis employment. Since regarding upheld accordingly, reversed remanded further inconsistent opinion. ordered. 22 Judgment directions. 23 DOUGLAS, BLACK joins, concurs set concurring 401, 548, Rosenblatt Baer, 75, 88, 669, 677, 597, 80, 218, separate Black Curtis Publishing Butts, 388 130, 170, 1975, 1999, 1094 293, 733. APPENDIX TO OPINION THE COURT 24 Atlantic LETTERS EDITOR 25 Graphic Newspapers, Thursday, 24, Page Dear Editor: 26 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions enjoyed reading back your you loaned me. Perhaps others them order just high deviated promises Education. First, let me state am referring thru November, paper, checked. 27 One statement declared swimming pools, fields, auditoriums left program. They got put very quickly Lockport West auditorium field. fact, better field Central. track isn't quite distance though few thousand dollars it. Whose fault that? Oh, forgot, wasn't supposed first place. fallen sky. touched letters seems one can't help noticing saying shouldn't facilities, think should, promises, they? 28 getting voter twice defeated issue, many probably will follow, feel say something writers. Many give story. Letters Administration salaries $1,297,746 year. Now payroll, $10,000 teach know case. shows 'stop nothing' attitude. illustrate further, told quote, 'Any opposes referendum prepared consequences.' gets reason problems passing issues. Threats take away; insults society. try sell program merits, any. 29 Remember 'District Speak,' agreed five six 98% school. didn't who them. Did approval paper? That's totalitarianism live school, go in. 30 week's uninformed threatened cafeteria fire personnel. ridiculous intelligence properly managed cafeterias cost money. If losing money, packing lunches athletes contests. Whatever taxpayer's child pay 30¢ lunch instead 35¢ athletes. 31 reply paid receipts games. But $20,000 doesn't $200,000 year spending varsity sports while neglecting wants 32 You don't transportation unless want keep paying $50,000 transport home practice away games, etc. Rest up coaches' salaries, directors' baseball pitching machines, sodded football thousands equipment. 33 things right, provided enough sod fields borrowed cart horse. 34 aren't you, look East High. doors classrooms, plant room sunlight, water aid treatment room, things. really cleaners. part sidewalk front building collapsed. Maybe Hess interested blinds windows also. 35 Once again, forgotten going spend $3,200,000 $2,300,000 building. As it, fight trying push tax-supported throats education, mixed emotions items taxes, simply trust 37 sign taxpayer voter, Do what goes behind stone walls school? 38 Respectfully, 39 Pickering. 40 baron Analysis. 41 contains eight principal false.1 Our independent record2 convinces Schaefer correct dissenting concluded correct. deal each turn. (1) asserted constructed during campaign facilities contain. conclusion referred 1961. plans include auditoriums, fields. publicity mentioned nothing addition although reference 'state physical education' material issued campaign. 42 certain economy measure, changed mind decided previously omitted, never indicated change. plans, disclosed buildings actually characterization 'promise' fair contrary literature distributed unreasonable ignores word 'original' modifies 'promises' 43 (2) incorrectly 'teachers' salaries' admitted figure change 'instructional' whereby deans, principals, librarians, counselors, four secretaries three total. incorrect accurate. 44 (3) said consequences. corroborated testimony remark him. appears said, relied, upholding finding version interpreted prediction adverse consequences noncooperation testified interpret remark. misinterpreted meaning remark, misreport 45 (4) newspapers publication. relied Handbook papers checked triplicate coordinator. 46 challenged varying degrees. (5) implied providing meant students lunches. discontinuing permitted small decrease charge students, brought price 30¢. (6) over $130,000 nonrecurring capital expenditures. (7) completely expenditures travel $10,000. (8) unable salaries. fairly characterized borrowed. insofar suggests occasion, mean times difficulty obtaining consistent good-faith error, show anything carelessness insufficient information responsible 47 WHITE, part. 48 holds truthful within ambit Amendment. innocently negligently unless, gather special circumstances, demonstrating overriding interest, confidentiality obligations owe superiors.1 today's decision holding discharge tested (1964). agreement. 49 on, however, reopen settled cases followed particularly 209 devotes several pages reexamining harmed ante, 570—573, harm irrelevant given ruling fired injurious. gratuitously still protects caused harm. Ante, 574, n. 6. Deliberate falsehoods serve ends deserve recognized reargument truth, constitutional protection.' U.S., S.Ct., 216. today explains justifies withdrawal firm stand Garrison. violation holds, true system. necessity foray into fact-finding respect supports injury.2 made, injury becomes irrelevant, discharge. precluded terminating reliance provision required. 50 Nor join statements. Neither presenting tribunals arriving conclusions addressed themselves elements Indeed, expressly find wholly unsatisfactory initial knowing falsehood cold now us. remand light deems once ascertained proceedings. statutory vague overbroad. See 675, 629 (1967); NAACP Button, 371 415, 83 328, 405 (1963); 247, 231 (1960). disposition reach challenge face. concluding were, possible conceive positions might permissible Likewise, superior subordinate intimate nature forms seriously undermine effectiveness imagined. views resolve instances situations, merely note considerations cases. There furnished consideration narrowly drawn grievance procedures submit complaints thereon bringing does foundation call fitness perform classroom. course, competence, lack thereof, would, effects, 5, supra. bother enumerate triviality readily rationally considered principles Norris Alabama, 294 587, 55S.Ct. 579, 79 1074 (1935); Pennekamp Florida, 328 331, 66 1029, 90 1295 (1946); 285, 728 rejection turns resolution factual questions, consistently great, controlling, weight courts. trier body victim prosecutor aimed securing contented ascertaining, accordance findings. requests reverse courts' procedure above deprived due process impartial tribunal. makes contention Court, treat propose blind ourselves obvious defects occasioned board's multiple functioning vis-a -vis Tumey Ohio, 273 510, 437, 71 749 (1927); re Murchison, 349 133, 75 623, 99 942 (1955). de novo examine independently little determinations 569-570, 572 nn. 4. elaborate suggestion which, areas comment, apparently, remote placing category. Further, opinion, foreclose possibility enforceable rule, business authorities check accuracy. Even proved presumed.

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