School handbook statements about civility, respect, diversity, and inclusiveness are aspirational, not contractually binding

A recent case out of the First Circuit, G. v. The Fay School, No. 18-1602 (behind paywall), has an ADA angle, but I’m focusing on the breach of contract claim, which was based on statements in the school handbook about respect, civility, and diversity. The court held, though: “Without diminishing the importance of these words, they are exactly the sort of generalized, aspirational statements that are insufficiently definite to form a contract.” For a school handbook to form a binding contract, it has to consist of “well-defined procedures and policies,” rather than just generalized statements such as those at issue in this case. The student and his parents failed to point to any statements in the handbook definite enough to form the basis of a contract, borne out by the fact that the school’s enrollment contract, signed by the student’s parents, specifically stated that the handbook was not a contract but rather just “general expectations.” 

The First Circuit decision is behind a paywall but you can read some reporting on the district court decision here.