J.P. v. Board of Education of Half Hollow Hills Central School District

Summary

Janelle Poukamissas was one of the leaders of the Ichthus Club, a Christian club for students at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Long Island, New York. But her leadership was cut short when the Club was cancelled, without any notice, at the start of the school year. The School District claimed that unspecified budget cuts and a lack of student popularity spurred their decision, even though the Ichthus Club had more than 55 members and none of the other nearly 60 clubs at the High School were subjected to cancellation. Janelle and the other leaders worked diligently to negotiate with the administration to keep the club, even offering to cut expenses by meeting every other week and finding a club advisor who would volunteer, but officials and the school board declined the offer.

With the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, Janelle filed a lawsuit to challenge the cancellation of the club. The School District ultimately caved, agreeing to reinstate the club, change district policy, and revoke unconstitutional guidelines for club formation and official recognition.