[March 19, 2025] Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF), a national organization of top attorneys that regularly defend Americans’ constitutional rights, recently received a decision in Stovall v. Jefferson County Board of Education. In its decision, the federal court ruled that the case should be brought in state court due to jurisdictional questions.
SLF filed the lawsuit on behalf of Miranda Stovall, a local parent who requested access to surveys being given to her child in her public school based on Kentucky open records laws but was ultimately blocked from accessing those surveys. By stonewalling her, SLF argued that the school district violated her First Amendment rights, as all parents should be given access to materials that are being provided to children in public schools and the chance to speak out on it. Given the First Amendment claims at play, SLF believes that the federal court does have jurisdiction over the case, and all options for steps forward are being explored.
Southeastern Legal Foundation Executive Director Kim Hermann said, “This case is, at its core, about parents’ First Amendment rights and what is being taught in our public schools. Parents have EVERY right to expect transparency in their child’s schools, especially when it comes to curriculum and ‘surveys’ that end up being invasive and intensely personal. Ultimately, we do not agree with the court’s decision to revert this case to the state level and we will continue to explore all options to guarantee that Miranda Stovall and parents like her have their First Amendment rights protected.”
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