By Guest Columnist Erin Driscoll

Legislative Bill 898 was introduced by Nebraska senators Ken Haar, Bill Avery and Amanda McGill on Jan. 12, 2010 at the State Capitol.
LB898 would enforce the Student Expression Act in school districts across the state. Student speech would then only be restricted based upon the regulations in the Student Expression Act.
According to the bill, student expression includes the right of a student to express his or her rights and beliefs through speech and symbols. A student has the right “to create, write, publish, perform and disseminate his or her views.”
Students also have the right to peaceably assemble with fellow students on school property for the purpose of expressing their opinions.
Expression classified as obscene or defamatory, or expression creating clear and present danger of unlawful acts would be unacceptable. Anything that causes disruption during the school day would also be prohibited, as well as anything unprotected by the First Amendment.
The act would protect teachers, administrators and school board members from being fired, transferred or reassigned in their positions for supporting the rights of student expression.
Those are just a few of the points to be enforced should the bill pass.
I was lucky enough to attend the hearing for LB898 when it was read in January. I heard both proponents and opponents explain their sides.
It seemed that many of the detractors who testified at the hearing strongly opposed the bill. It appeared as though they felt that if LB898 were passed, students would have room to do whatever they wanted in terms of expression.
The belief is that if the Student Expression Act takes effect, students will produce  vulgar plays, wear inappropriate clothing, and publish anything they want in their newspapers and yearbooks.
As for the proponents, they interpreted the bill differently.  It would allow students to be themselves, support their beliefs and their friends, and share their opinions appropriately without being punished.
I understand where the opponents are coming from, but I am definitely going to agree with proponents. I don’t believe students will run wild if the bill is passed.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
“Abridge” means to shorten by omissions, reduce or lessen in duration, and to deprive or cut off.
Students have fewer rights when they walk into school at the beginning of the day and their full rights are not given back until the end of the day outside of school.
Students’ rights are reduced and lessened, and some are completely diminished. The Bill of Rights is for everyone; it shouldn’t change for students.
As far as student publications go, the Student Expression Act would assist the students in practicing responsible and truthful journalism.
As a journalist, I know that this privilege would not be misused. We print stories that are ethical and fair.
For example, if there was a drug problem among the student body, we wouldn’t point fingers and name students based on unsubstantiated rumors.
That’s unethical.
We’d address the problem at hand; we’d survey the students, find the cause of the issue and report on the information.
It’s not an opportunity to run wild or disrespect our school and our district. It’s about representing and educating the community. And our community is Bellevue West students and staff and the larger community.
The Student Expression Act is one of the best things that could happen for education in Nebraska, and I sincerely hope LB898 is passed.

Erin Driscoll is a student at Bellevue West High School. The Bellevue Leader will periodically publish a column written by journalism students at local high schools.

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