ACLU-KY Wins Injunction for Letcher County Parent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. –A federal judge has granted the ACLU of Kentucky’s motion for a preliminary injunction, preventing Jenkins Independent School District from enforcing its ban against Letcher County parent Elizabeth Jones while her lawsuit proceeds.

Jones, a mother of two children in the district, was banned from school property and school events in December 2025 after school officials claimed some of her social media posts “appeared to be harassment.” According to court filings, the district did not identify which posts led to the ban when it was issued and did not accuse Jones of making threats or engaging in violence.

The court’s ruling allows Jones to return to school property and attend school activities and events while the case continues.

“This ruling affirms a basic constitutional principle: public officials cannot punish people simply because they dislike or take offense at protected speech,” said Bethany Baxter, staff attorney for the ACLU of Kentucky. “Ms. Jones should never have been forced to choose between exercising her First Amendment rights and participating fully in her children’s lives. We are pleased the court has stopped the district from continuing to enforce this harmful and unconstitutional ban while the case moves forward.”

Jones regularly attended her children’s sporting events and school activities for years without causing disruptions or violating school rules. The social media posts later identified by the district included jokes, commentary, and photographs at public school sporting events.

The ACLU of Kentucky filed the lawsuit arguing that the district retaliated against Jones for constitutionally protected speech and violated her rights under the First Amendment.

The preliminary injunction does not resolve the entire lawsuit, but it prevents the district from enforcing the ban while the court considers the remaining claims.

This case is Elizabeth Jones v. Jenkins Independent School District, et al., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislature and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms. For additional information, visit our website at: www.aclu-ky.org.