October Term 2000 · Docket 99-2036
Can a public school bar a religious club from using its building after hours?
A religious group seeks access to a public school building. The school district denies that access.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Thomas Marcelle argued the case involves free speech rights.
He noted the school building houses multiple grade levels.
He corrected a record description regarding the building's use.
The school's attorney argued the exclusion prevents religious endorsement.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-5
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Good News Club wants to hold meetings in a public school. Milford Central School denies the request. The group claims this violates free speech rights. The school claims it must avoid religious endorsement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 28, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-5
What each side wants
Good News Club wants permission to meet in the school building.
Milford Central School wants to keep the religious group out.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
What each side says
The club argues the school cannot exclude it based on religious content.
The school argues it must avoid appearing to endorse religion.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
What the justices asked
Does the school's exclusion violate the First Amendment?
Can the school deny access to avoid religious endorsement?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-5
Why it matters
This case defines public school access rules. It balances free speech against religious neutrality. Schools must decide how to manage shared spaces. Religious groups seek equal access to public facilities. The outcome shapes future school policies nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 1-5 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 1-5
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-58 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-58
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 35-21 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 35-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.