By Times Staff Writer
Published September 19, 2007
TAMPA - The Hillsborough School Board approved an agreement Tuesday that ends a two-year lawsuit by conservative activist David Caton, who claimed the district violated the First Amendment by blocking his group's e-mails about religious holidays on the school calendar.
This summer, a judge ruled that the school district had been within its rights to block a barrage of e-mails from Caton and the Florida Family Association.
Caton appealed.
In exchange for Caton dropping his appeal, the School Board agreed to waive its right to be repaid about $8,400 in court costs.
The district already has spent $75,000 defending itself, said School Board attorney Tom Gonzalez. He said it would be fiscally irresponsible to spend more on the appeal.