The panel ruled 2-1 Monday that the Clark County School District's policy does not violate students' rights to free speech, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Judge Michael Hawkins, who wrote the majority opinion, found the district's aim is "creating an educational environment free from the distractions, dangers and disagreements that result when student clothing choices are left unrestricted."

The challengers include a student who was repeatedly suspended for wearing religious T-shirts to school.

Judge Sidney Thomas found that the majority ignored a landmark 1969 Supreme Court opinion that upheld the right of students to wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.

Allen Lichtenstein of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada plans to ask the full court for a rehearing.