Cockrel v. Shelby County School District

Donna Cockrel (plaintiff) was a teacher in the Shelby County School District (school district) (defendant). As part of her class, Cockrel invited outside speakers to discuss the topic of industrial hemp use three times between 1996 and 1997. These speakers garnered national news attention, and numerous complaints were lodged with the school district by parents and teachers. Based on the complaints, the school superintendent formally investigated Cockrel, but the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board ruled that there were insufficient grounds for termination. The school district implemented more extensive approval procedures for controversial outside speakers, and Cockrel followed the procedures while continuing to bring in the hemp lecturers. News outlets asked Cockrel’s school administration for comment on the speakers, and Cockrel’s principal issued a formal statement of disapproval. The school’s parent-teacher association also issued a statement condemning Cockrel. Soon after the third speaker left, the school administration implemented several spontaneous evaluations, which found Cockrel’s performance deficient. The school recommended Cockrel’s termination, and the superintendent fired her. Cockrel filed suit in federal district court on First Amendment retaliation grounds. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the school district, and Cockrel appealed to the Sixth Circuit.