In a Victory For School Districts, Gov. Brown Vetoes Graduation Adornments Bill

October 16, 2017 |

In a victory for California public school administrators, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 233.

The bill, which was sponsored Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D - San Diego) would have allowed students to wear religious, ceremonial, or cultural adornments at school graduation ceremonies. Had the legislation been signed into law, it would have restricted school district's ability to limit students from ability to wear cultural or religious symbols at graduations sservices.

In his veto message, Brown noted students already enjoy broad freedom of expression rights. However, when the use of the symbols interfere or disrupt functions, such as graduation, the local administrators and elected school boards "are in the best position to make wise judgments."

The bill was introduced following a dust of controversies involving students wearing cultural symbols as part of their high school graduation gowns. In 2016, and Elk Grove Unified School District student was removed from his Cosumnes Oaks graduation commencement after refusing to remove an African kente cloth from his gown.