Baraboo School Officials Will Not Punish Students for Viral Photo

Baraboo school officials are saying that free speech rights
would make it difficult to discipline students who appeared in a picture that
showed several high school boys giving what appears to be a Nazi salute. In a
letter to parents, the district says they cannot know the “intentions in the
hearts” of the students involved. It adds that the district isn’t in a position
to punish the students because they are protected by the First Amendment. 

The
photo of about sixty boys was taken outside the Sauk County Courthouse in
Baraboo before last spring’s prom. The parent who took the picture says he
simply asked the boys to wave goodbye to their parents before heading off to
the dance. The letter also said any investigation by the district is complete.