Chautauqua County Community Unified School District 286: Prohibition on Discussing 'Personal Matters' and Active Litigation

The school district of Chautauqua County, Kansas, restricts public commenters from discussing “personal matters about specific employees, student matters, matters under active litigation, and confidential information.” The superintendent cited these policies when he emailed a commenter disapproving of the nature and tone of his comments and additionally warning that personal attacks, defamatory statements, and threats of litigation are prohibited.

On July 31, 2026, FIRE wrote the board of education, explaining that both the district’s formal policy and the restrictions described in the superintendent’s email infringe upon commenters’ First Amendment rights.