Students’ ‘Slavery Petition’ Discipline Faces 8th Cir. Queries

Four Missouri high school football players faced a curious Eighth Circuit Thursday as they tried to revive constitutional claims over discipline they received over a “Start slavery again” petition posted on Change.org.

A ruling on appeal in the lawsuit against Park Hill School District and various school board members and administrators could provide guidance to schools on how to deal with race-based student misconduct. It could also provide parameters for determining in school discipline cases when students who are punished are similarly situated to students who aren’t disciplined.

The petition was created while the team was traveling for an away ...