dent who had not yet told her parents
supporters was H. K. Edgerton, a black
about it. Overall, Bailey explained, "we
man who chaired the board of the
have a responsibility to the public to do
Southern Legal Resource Center, a group
the right thing." Some First Amendment
that in March filed a lawsuit on
experts, however, were very critical of the
Hardwick's behalf. "She made a stand for
school's actions. "This is a terrible lesson
the Southland," said the former National
in civics," said University of Tennessee
Association for the Advancement of
journalism professor Dwight Teeter.
Colored People local leader in North
Carolina.181
"Either the students are going to have a
voice, or you're going to have a PR rag for
the administration."183
South Dakota
Sex Education
· Pierre--An abstinence-oriented sex educa-
Texas
tion measure that passed the South
Intelligent Design
· Austin--Governor Rick Perry created a stir
Dakota House comfortably was killed by
the Senate Education Committee in
in January when he said that he favored
February, largely because opponents
teaching intelligent design along with
feared the bill would have prevented
evolution in science classrooms. The gov-
schools from including lessons on con-
ernor's spokeswoman said that Perry
traceptives. Rep. Roger Hunt (R-
"has always supported providing stu-
Brandon), the bill's sponsor, said the
dents with alternative theories as part of
measure would not prohibit all teaching
the effort to teach critical and analytical
about contraceptives but would require
thinking skills," but also noted that the
that students be taught that abstinence
governor had no plans to seek legislation
was the only certain way to avoid preg-
to make that happen. Intelligent Design
nancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
opponents were nonetheless alarmed.
Lawmakers heard from students on both
"For the governor to suggest that intelli-
side of the issue. "It doesn't make sense to
gent design should be taught in science
give me a condom and say `Go get them,
classes is troubling," said Kathy Miller of
tiger," said Lincoln High School senior
the Texas Freedom Network. "We
Daniel Brunz. His view was countered by
shouldn't be teaching religion and faith
Jenny Badger from Riggs High School,
in science classes. That is something that
should be left to parents and clergy."184
who asserted that "There are kids having
sex. You can't stop everyone."182
Freedom of Expression
· Austin--In May, some students discovered
Tennessee
pictures on the Internet showing that
Freedom of Expression
· Oak Ridge--In November, when Oak
Tamara Hoover, an art teacher at Austin
High School, was also involved in art as a
Ridge High School administrators dis-
nude model. When Hoover's nude pic-
covered that the Oak Leaf, the school
tures were brought to the attention of dis-
newspaper, contained articles about con-
trict officials, they placed the teacher on
traceptives and tattoos, they retrieved
administrative leave, and in June school
about 1,800 copies from classrooms,
board members voted to terminate her
mailboxes, and lockers. Superintendent
employment. Hoover retained a lawyer,
Tom Bailey said that the birth control
however, and in August 2006 she and the
article needed to be edited to be accept-
district reached a settlement in which she
able to the entire school, and the tattoo
would be terminated but receive $14,850.
story could not run because it contained
In a statement on the day the settlement
a photo of a tattoo belonging to a stu-
47