School board member sues state officials, alleging they stifle free speech

By Nikita BiryukovReprinted with permissionNew Jersey State Monitor

An Alloway school board member sued state Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer and members of the School Ethics Commission, alleging they impermissibly limited her freedom of speech by interpreting a state ethics law to bar board members from discussing school matters with their constituents.

Gail Nazarene filed the lawsuit after another member of the Salem County township’s school board filed an ethics complaint over Nazarene’s Facebook posts that asked constituents’ opinions on school tax increases. The complaint alleged the posts had created confusion and concern among the public, and had “conveyed the impression that Ms. Nazarene was speaking on behalf of the Board without authorization.”…

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