Carolinians Challenge Atheists with Lord's Prayer

Americans United for Separation of Church and State plans to sue the Berkeley County School District based in Moncks Corner, South Carolina because the Board has voted to ignore the atheists' threats and continue a years-long practice of opening board meetings with the Lord's Prayer.

“We’re Americans, aren’t we? Looking back at where our nation began we cannot, cannot as a nation forget we have a God and all that we do we must acknowledge that. Let’s continue to do the right thing … there’s nothing wrong with public prayer as long as we do it in accordance with the law.”
-- Julius Barnes, board member

For background, read North Carolina Citizens Demand Prayer in Public School and also read Prayer at South Carolina School Board Won't Stop

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Threaten Florida School Board over Prayer

Kentucky School Supt. Backs Prayer vs. Atheists

Texas School Supt. Tells Anti-prayer Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

Public Brings Amazing Grace Back to Alabama School

Also read Atheists Say Even a Prayer for Terror-victims is Unconstitutional

-- From "SC school board moves to reinstate Lord's Prayer" by The Associated Press 8/10/16

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the school board gave initial approval Tuesday after dropping the use of the prayer earlier this year. The board has been using a moment of silence instead.

State Sen. Larry Grooms sent the board a letter signed by 50 state lawmakers citing a 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision reaffirming the right to pray at public meetings. Gov. Nikki Haley last month signed a state law allowing school boards the right to open meetings with prayer.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "School board moves to reinstate prayer at meetings" by Lindsay Street, The Berkeley Independent 8/9/16

Despite receiving a letter the day before its meeting saying prayer at school board meetings violates the U.S. Constitution, Berkeley County School District’s school board has unanimously voted for the first of two readings on a policy that would bring prayer back to the beginning of its meetings.

The policy states:

“The public invocation will be non-sectarian and non-denominational, and will not proselytize for or advance any one or disparage any other, faith or belief. The public invocation is for the benefit of the Board, but no member of the Board, or any other person, attending, the meeting, will be required to participate in the public invocation. The public invocation will be offered on a voluntary basis by a member of the Board selected by the Board Chair or his/her designee.”

During the Aug. 9 meeting, the board members lauded the new policy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Berkeley school board gives OK to initial reading to reinstate prayer" by Brenda Rindge, Charleston Post and Courier 8/9/16

In July, state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Charleston, sent a letter to board members — signed by 50 legislators — citing a 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Town of Greece v. Galloway, which reaffirmed the right to pray at public meetings. Additionally on June 3, Gov. Nikki Haley signed an amendment to the Public Prayer and Invocation Act that includes a school board as being as a “deliberative body” with the right to open meetings with an invocation.

“I appreciate everyone’s hard work on working through this policy in light of the threats we’ve gotten,” said board member Mac McQuillin, a lawyer.

“It took courage for us to do this motion and I’m proud.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

And read Satanic Clubs in Public Schools to Counter Jesus

Public Brings Amazing Grace Back to Alabama School

Elmore County School Superintendent, Dr. Andre Harrison, was quick to agree with a lone atheist that it's unconstitutional for the Holtville High School Marching Band in Deatsville, Alabama to play "Amazing Grace," but after his ban on the hymn caused a citizen revolt, Harrison was told by school counsel that it's OK to play Christian music at football games.

"I was reminded that, as a public school, we simply cannot endorse a religious message in our activities. I completely understand the frustration of some of our parents, but we have an obligation to follow the law, even when we don't want to."
-- Superintendent Andre Harrison's initial statement

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Mississippi Town Sings Hymns, Defies Atheists' Anti-Christian Demands

Wisconsin School Bans Christmas Music, Citizens Revolt

'God Bless America' Banned from Florida School

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs





-- From "Superintendent reverses decision - 'Amazing Grace' will be played at Alabama school's halftime show" by Ivana Hrynkiw, The Birmingham News 7/24/16

Dr. Andre' Harrison said that the same person who complained to the district about the song also called the school's central office twice to say that the playing of "Amazing Grace" was unconstitutional.

"After word of my decision circulated, I heard from many concerned parents, and frankly I still had reservations about my initial decision. I asked counsel to do further research on this issue and present me with options that would keep the district in legal compliance, but permit performance of one of the most iconic songs in the history of our nation," Harrison said today.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "'Amazing Grace' pulled from Alabama high school band's football halftime show after complaint" By Erin Edgemon, The Huntsville Times 7/24/16

In a statement to the Elmore & Autauga News, the Elmore County Board of Education said legal counsel recommended that the religious-themed song be pulled from the band's repertoire following the complaint.

"Our Constitution prohibits us from promoting religion in our educational programs and activities," the statement read, in part. "While we understand the feelings of the parents who are unhappy about the decision, we have an obligation to comply with the law."

Superintendent Dr. Andre' Harrison also issued this statement to the website: "When the question was raised about the band playing Amazing Grace, a song we all grew up singing, my first reaction was this is a message that should be celebrated. But, after consulting with legal counsel, I was reminded that, as a public school, we simply cannot endorse a religious message in our activities. I completely understand the frustration of some of our parents, but we have an obligation to follow the law, even when we don't want to."

School officials didn't say who issued the complaint, but it appeared to have come by telephone.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Atheists' Complaints Motivate Christmas Fervor Across America

Lone Atheist Muzzles Penn. Students at Graduation

There will be no invocation or benediction at commencement ceremonies at Pottsgrove High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania this year because last year a single, anonymous complaint frightened school officials into a panic.  As a result, constitutionally-protected, student-initiated Christian free speech has been officially banned.

"The decision was made after last year's graduation when a student went off script from the nondenominational prayer that has been done over the years and turned it into a very Christian prayer."
-- Rick Rabinowitz, school board president

"It was offensive to someone else in the audience and it was reported to me that it was offensive and religious in nature and that we should stop it."
-- Shellie A. Feola, Superintendent

For background, read the never-ending assault on public schools by atheists and the ACTUAL recent Supreme Court rulings.

Also read Atheists Can't Stop Prayer at Graduations, Judge Rules

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Nix Ohio Graduation Choir Tradition

Atheists Help Liberal Schools Ban Christmas Choirs

Lone Jew, ACLU Stop Prayer in Pennsylvania Town

Pennsylvania School Staff to Mosque for Islamic Training

First-grade Christian Censored, Pennsylvania School Sued

Washington School Football Coach Forced to Stop Praying AFTER Games

However, a Kentucky School Supt. Backs Prayer vs. Atheists

-- From "No invocation, benediction at Pottsgrove High commencement" by Gabbie O'Grady, Reading Eagle 5/27/16

Justin Valentine was school board president during 2015 graduation and said a complaint from another board member was the reason prayer was pulled.

"What happened was there was one person, one complaint that we received, and that's what triggered this," he said. "We knew the driving force behind this not happening again."

Valentine declined to identify the individual.

Current board member Patricia Grimm was also on the board in August when the decision on prayer was made.

"To me, it's (prayer) student driven," she said. "This is a tradition we always have regardless of the law and this is what the students want. I know there was a lot of discussion about the student going off of his intended speech but there was only one complaint."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Ending of graduation prayer at Pottsgrove High School debated" by Evan Brandt, Pottstown Mercury 5/26/16

The change apparently is the result of one student’s decision to invoke Jesus Christ in his comments at last year’s graduation.

As a result, [Supt.] Feola consulted the district’s longtime Solicitor Marc Davis, who told her a 2000 ruling in California made the district’s practice illegal.

. . . although the decision was made in August, it did not become a public discussion until Thursday, part of discussion on Facebook — particularly among board members, and two former school board presidents.

“This is very disappointing to me too,” wrote board member Bill Parker. “While the district, due to case law, can not direct that there be a prayer as part of the ceremony, we can also not violate freedom of speech.”

Mike Neiffer, who served as school board president prior to Valentine and acknowledged that there are legal issues to be considered, posted “I think the issue is that the change doesn’t appear to have been discussed in public nor was the public allowed to comment on it. As for me, let the students decide. It’s their graduation.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

Atheists Nix Ohio Graduation Choir Tradition

Board members of the East Liverpool City School District demonstrated their ignorance of U.S. Supreme Court rulings, as well as their gullibility to atheist bullying when they decided to end the decades-long tradition of the school choir singing The Lord's Prayer at the East Liverpool High School commencement.

"When I was first on this board I expressed a concern about us singing. The comment made was that 'we know we are breaking the law, we will do it until we get caught.' Well, ladies and gentlemen we got caught."
-- Board President Larry Walton

For background, read the never-ending assault on public schools by atheists and the ACTUAL recent Supreme Court rulings.

Also read Atheists Can't Stop Prayer at Graduations, Judge Rules

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Say Too Many Christians at Ohio School

Atheists Help Liberal Schools Ban Christmas Choirs

Washington School Football Coach Forced to Stop Praying AFTER Games

Florida Student Failed for Being Christian, Lawyer Says

Ban Christians From Missouri Schools, Atheists Say

However, a Kentucky School Supt. Backs Prayer vs. Atheists




-- From "Lord's Prayer dropped from East Liverpool graduation ceremony" posted at WFMJ-TV21 (Youngstown, OH) 5/6/16 updated 5/12/16

When East Liverpool High School seniors graduate later this month, singing the Lord's Prayer will not be a part of the ceremony.

After a complaint by a parent, the district received a letter from The Freedom From Religion Foundation [FFRF, based in Wisconsin,] citing legal rulings on the separation of church and state.

. . . Larry Walton tells 21 News that the prayer has been part of commencement for the ten years he has been with the school.

However he says following the complaints, the school will no longer the prayer during the ceremony.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Prayer’s removal prompts response" by Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert, Staff Writer, Morning Journal News (Lisbon, OH) 5/10/16

[Choir director Lisa] Ensinger said she sang the song at her own graduation and, when interviewed for her position, was asked what would happen if she was ever told students could not sing it.

"I said, 'That's the day I resign,' and now it's happened and my heart is broken," Ensinger told the board, adding that the Lord's Prayer has been sung for district graduations for 70 years and saying, "I hate to see that go. When we stop having traditions what do we have left?"

President Larry Walton said, "The Supreme Court says we can't do it," saying other districts have tried to fight it and, in at least one, the legal costs were more than $850,000.

Board member Richard Wolf questioned, "I don't know when we voted on this. Did we vote on this? If it's student initiated, it's like prayer at the flag pole. If those people want to institute a lawsuit, let them."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Decision to remove Lord’s Prayer met with opposition" by Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert, East Liverpool Reporter, The Review (East Liverpool, OH) 5/6/16

Since no public discussion or vote on the issue were held by the school board, the newspaper made a public records request for all emails between board members and [Superintendent Melissa] Watson to determine how the decision was made.

[The newspaper obtained] a flurry of emails between board members and Watson through May 1 in regard to the matter, with President Larry Walton the first to respond, saying, "Let us just not do it. We have 'gotten away' with it for 10 years. This is a battle we will lose. I don't believe we should waste our funds on such a legal encounter."

. . . [Board member Patricia Persohn wrote,] "I am hearing parents threatening to withdraw their students. I was elected to represent the views of the community, and they are screaming. At the time that I voted to replace the song, I thought we were being threatened with lawsuit. I do believe it is just a matter of time before we are engaged in a fight. We need to set this issue aside right now and move on. I will vote to let the song remain in the program."

In her initial emailed response, board member Sarah Porter said, "I'm OK with a lawsuit. I'm a Catholic girl, lol, I'm not opposed to the Lord's Prayer. In this day and age, I think the majority of the public will back us if a lawsuit is brought forth."

To read more of the internal E-mails of the board members printed in the article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Board asked to reconsider removing Lord's Prayer from East Liverpool graduation" by Danielle Cotterman, Reporter, WFMJ-TV21 (Youngstown, OH) 5/9/16 updated 5/15/16

"As a person of faith it means a great deal to me as you know, but as an educator I see this as an opening to a very broad door that can cause great detriment to our music education program," said Ensinger.

As a music educator she says she knows what is allowed and what it not. She says the rules are, if a piece of music has an educational value, it's permitted. So, she questions if the Lord's Prayer is not permitted, what other pieces would not be permitted?

"Mozart... his Requiem Mass, would no longer be allowed. Handel's Messiah would no longer be allowed. All of the music of the Medieval period would never be allowed," said Ensinger.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

Atheists Threaten Florida School Board over Prayer

The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has informed the Duval County School Board (DCSB) of Jacksonville, Florida that offering the opportunity for clergy to give an invocation before its monthly board meeting begins is unconstitutional, but most board members disagree.

“We should continue to support religious liberty.”
-- Jason Fischer, DCSB board member

“I feel good about where we are today.  I feel good about what we're doing.  If [the FFRF] want to pursue it further [to court], that's certainly their option.  My biggest concern is this becomes a distraction to education.”
-- Scott Shine, DCSB board member

For background, read U.S. Supreme Court 2014 Ruling Allows Christian Prayer in Civic Meetings, in fact Supreme Court Justice Scalia Said Government Should Favor God of the Bible

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Prayer Stays in Florida School, Opposing Atheists

Florida Battles Satanic 'Prayer' at Civic Meetings City-by-City

Atheists Say Prayer for Terror-victims is Unconstitutional

Kentucky School Supt. Backs Prayer vs. Atheists

Texas School Supt. Tells Anti-prayer Atheists to Go Fly a Kite



-- From "National group calls Duval school district prayer 'unconstitutional'" by Jason Rantala, WTLV-TV12 (Jacksonville, FL) First Coast News 5/12/16

Schoolboard Chairman Ashley Smith Juarez said they will be consulting the Office of General Council to decide what to do regarding prayer.

Juarez said she cannot recall someone actually complaining about prayer during a meeting.

"We have had members from a variety of religions and a variety of voices there during that time. I do think that is important and it will be something we will continue to focus on in the future," said Juarez.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Non-profit groups wade into Duval County School Board prayer controversy" by Robert Alonso, WOKV-FM104.5 5/13/16

2 non-profit groups reached out to the school board recently about starting off its meetings with a prayer.

The Orlando-based Liberty Counsel did likewise 3 days later, offering to help the district should the FFRF try to take the matter to court.

In its letter, the LC says the FFRF is "litigious", often unsuccessful in court and in the wrong morally and legally.

Earlier this year, the DCSB altered its opening prayer to add a "thought for the day" option, something district officials called an effort to be more inclusive.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Complaint about prayer at Duval School Board meetings stirs debate" by Denise Smith Amos, Florida Times-Union 5/11/16

At most meetings, nearly everyone stands and bows their heads during the invocation, and usually a pastor, priest or other minister prays aloud at the podium. Often the person praying invokes the name of Jesus.

. . . the Liberty Counsel also wrote to each School Board member, urging them to continue with praying during invocation. Richard L. Mast Jr., a Lynchburg, Va., attorney with the Liberty Counsel, offered to provide pro bono assistance to the district.

The Liberty Counsel cited a 2014 US Supreme Court ruling, Town of Greece v. Galloway, saying it “confirmed the constitutionality of prayers given before legislative bodies.”

The Liberty Counsel also referred to a 1994 11th Circuit Court case involving Duval Schools. The court’s ruling in that case allowed religious messages by students, by valedictorians and by graduation speakers.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

Florida School vs. Obama Transgender Bathroom Regs

This week, the Marion County Public Schools of Ocala, Florida enacted a policy in a direct challenge to President Obama's Department of Education heavy-handed edict that schools nationwide must allow men to use girl's restrooms, locker rooms, and showers.

"My concern is that some pervert looking for the opportunity to dress up as a transgender and [prey on] innocent children and because of their perverted action scars [our] children for life."
-- Parent testimony to school board

"There is no legal mandate requiring the district to override the privacy rights of students and concerns of parents, by permitting gender-confused (or attention-seeking) students to inappropriately use restrooms and facilities reserved for the opposite sex.  No school district has ever lost federal funding for maintaining gender-appropriate facilities, despite the claims of activists."
-- Roger K. Gannam, Liberty Counsel (offered to represent school board)

For background, read Department of Education Demands Communal Nudity in Public Schools Using Full Force of Federal Government and now Hillary Clinton Promises Even MORE 'Transgender/Gay Rights'

UPDATE 5/7/16: Illinois Parents Sue School and President Obama over his Transgender Restroom Edict

Also read how enclosed restrooms will soon be eliminated to protect women and children from sexual predators.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

President Obama's OSHA Teams Up with EEOC to OK Perverts in Employees' Restrooms

Washington, D.C.'s Bathroom 'Bigot Snitch' Law

Virginia Bathroom Privacy Bill Defeated in Legislature

Women's Voices Silenced: Washington Transgender Restrooms

Transgender Restrooms Evolve for South Dakota Schools



-- From "Marion school board blocks transgender kids from choosing restroom" by The Associated Press 4/26/16

A north Florida school board has approved a measure to limit restrooms to students based on their birth sex, not their gender identity.

Board member Carol Ely says transgender students shouldn't get to choose which restroom to use, adding it's "reverse discrimination."

The district started allowing transgender students to choose their restroom two months ago. But a parent claimed his son's privacy rights were being violated because he's not comfortable sharing a restroom with a student who was born female but now identifies as male.

Roger Gannam, an attorney for the conservative legal group Liberty Counsel, is representing the parent of the student who complained. He argued that there is no legal mandate requiring the district to permit transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Marion County School Board rules students must use restroom of biological gender" by Erik Sandoval and Troy Campbell, Reporters, WKMG-TV6 (Orlando, FL) 4/27/16

The new rule takes effect immediately, and the decision brought cheers from the hundreds who gathered at Tuesday night's school board meeting.

The school board resolution says transgender students are not protected by law and that students expect not to see people of the opposite sex in the bathroom.

School board vice chairwoman, Kelly King, said that the alternative [private/uni-sex] bathrooms are a safe place for transgender students. King also said she too expects lawsuits if the board approves the restriction.

"We know either way, we are probably going to have some lawsuits. You know, lawsuits regardless," King said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "ACLU warns Marion County Schools of possible legal issues with bathroom policy" posted at WCJB-TV20 (Gainesville, FL) 4/26/16

In a work session last week, four of the five board members voted to restrict school bathrooms to students based on their birth sex, not based on their gender identity. School Board Chairman Bobby James was the only dissenter and said he wanted to continue to treat transgender issues on a case-by-case basis.

The letter, written by ACLU of Florida LGBT rights staff attorney Daniel Tilley, warns that the policy would not only be harmful to students but would also "violate Title IX sex discrimination requirements, violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution and jeopardize federal funding for the school district."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Bathroom ban imposed: School Board blocks transgender kids from choosing restrooms" by Joe Callahan, Staff writer, Ocala StarBanner 4/26/16

. . . Superintendent George Tomyn said the board should wait if they wanted this to be a rule, or policy, and that they were not following proper protocol. [Board member Nancy] Stacy said this was not a rule, but a resolution as a statement to the community. Stacy called for the vote and it passed 4-1.

The local issue began two months ago after the district started allowing transgender students to choose their bathroom, stating that the Office for Civil Rights has made it clear that transgender students have that right.

Two weeks ago, local veterinarian Hal Phillips appeared at a board work session and said his son's Fourth Amendment rights had been violated. Phillips said his son – who attends Vanguard High -- was not comfortable sharing a bathroom with a transgender student, who was born female but now identifies as being male.

The Fourth Amendment protects the privacy of all students, “including bodily privacy in the context of restrooms and locker rooms,” according to board attorney Steven Lake, who shared a PowerPoint about prior court cases at a recent work session.

[Attorney Roger] Gannam, wrote that “students with gender confusion who truly believes he or she is the opposite sex should be treated with care, compassion, and kindness, but must not be officially affirmed in his or her confusion, no matter how sincerely-held.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "A Florida school board just blocked transgender kids from choosing bathrooms" by Elahe Izadi, Washington Post 4/27/16

Conservative legal group Liberty Counsel represented the parent, Harrell “Hal” Phillips and his son, who the organization described as “devout Christians who believe strongly in both biblical modesty and constitutional privacy.”

Phillips’s son was “extremely upset” that a transgender student was using the boys’ bathroom, the group wrote. “This was a place where he has a reasonable expectation that he will not encounter the opposite sex. This deeply violated his religious beliefs of personal modesty and his constitutional rights to privacy.”

According to the measure, single-sex bathrooms and locker rooms designated for girls are restricted to people “who are biological females.” The same goes for facilities designated for boys and people “who are biological males.”

Students who want to use alternative facilities “shall always be offered comparable facilities, as required by law,” the measure states.

The measure also states that transgender individuals are “not a protected class” under the school district’s policies.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Transgender Students Now Have To Follow A New Bathroom Policy In Marion County" by Isabella Alsina, WUFT-TV5/WJUF-FM89.1 (PBS/NPR Gainesville, FL) 4/27/16

After 46 public comments, the board passed the resolution with a 4-1 vote. About 250 people cheered, sang Christian songs and waved banners that read, “God Belongs In My City.”

“The safety issue is the biggest,” said Carol Ely, the school board member for district 2. “Although nothing has happened yet, we’re going to see some things happening.”

Transgender students, former Marion County teachers, pastors, and concerned parents filled the meeting room, office, and parking lot of the school board’s building. Some wore Equality Florida stickers while most wore red stickers reading, “We Stand With God.”

“We cannot help that the Department of Education… is now working under an illegal, unadvertised rule,” said Nancy Stacy, school board member for District 1. “The Federal Department of Education doesn’t even have a right to constitutionally exist. I believe this rule is completely illegal.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read American Consumers Target Anti-family Business Favoring Transgenders

And read Transgenderism is a 'Delusion' According to Victims and Professionals

Tenn. School Defies Gay Agenda Intimidation Tactic

Despite state-wide and national pressure by threatening homosexualists, the Franklin County (Tennessee) School Board stood firm this week and voted just shy of unanimity to require parental approval of any student admittance to extracurricular clubs, which is likely to terminate the newly-created Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club.

"For my children, myself and what I truly believe is the majority of residents in Franklin County, I will not be browbeaten, threatened or bullied into compromising my values or belief system."
-- Chris Guess, school board member

For background, read Mississippi School Attacked for Countering 'Gay Clubs' and also read Gay Clubs Required in Schools, Says Obama White House

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Florida School Rejects Gay Agenda ENDA Proposal

New Jersey Parents Reject School's New Transgender Policy

Parents' Lawyer Halts Wisconsin School Transgender Sneak Attack

Missouri Residents Protest Transgender/Gay Boy in Girls Locker Room



-- From "Franklin Co. board requires permission to join GSA, other clubs" by Brian Wilson, The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, TN) 4/13/16

Critics have called for clubs with religious or sexual intents to not be allowed at public schools, while supporters have said the club provides a safe place for people to be themselves that can only be provided in an extracurricular setting.

The new opt-in policy would likely require major efforts and paperwork to enforce the policy in the county, said Chris Sanders, the executive director of Tennessee Equality Project, which has been following the debate.

State law allows parents to opt their children out of extracurricular activities. The Franklin County rules would require a signed and dated form from a parent or guardian before the student could become a member of the club or organization.

The school board also approved a policy that would allow a school principal to revoke a club's status if the organization failed to "comply with board policy and administrative standards."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Extra-curricular clubs: School Board affirms parental approval" by Brian Justice, Winchester Herald Chronicle 4/11/16

The controversy over the club has filled the past several School Board meetings.

[Board Member Chris] Guess said Monday the circumstances had become personally threatening toward him through emails he has received about the issue. He said his job status and livelihood were brought into question over his stance about requiring parents to opt their children into extracurricular clubs.

He said the Gay-Straight Alliance Club was founded over a concern about bullying, yet the tactics being used by supporters against those in opposition were, in essence, bullying.

Dr. Amie Lonas, the school system’s director, said working out the details to implement the change could take several months, but the new policy should be fully in place by July 1 when the school system’s new fiscal year begins.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Tenn. parents fight Gay-Straight Alliance in high school" posted at CBS News 2/9/16

At a school board meeting [in February], resident Robert Widelick took to the microphone and said he doubted the [GSA] agenda that he claims they're trying to impose on people who attend their meetings.

"There's really no place for discussion of sexual orientation in a public high school," Widelick said.

Dozens of supporters stood up, cheered and waved towels and signs after Widelick shared his opinion at the meeting.

Franklin County Schools Director Amie Lonas said the [GSA] organization, which was created to promote tolerance and acceptance, followed the proper procedure to establish the club. Students say it was really largely done in response to bullying. The group was granted approval to form by school officials in December.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Rural school's Gay-Straight Alliance draws national eye" by Brian Wilson, The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, TN) 2/9/16

. . . On social media, a page was created in mid-January to call for members of the Franklin County School Board to move the club off campus because of its controversial nature.

“Schools are for learning the basics we need to get a job after high school or get a secondary education,” said Chris Ball, a parent with children in Franklin County Schools. “We’re here to teach subjects, not to promote certain ways of life.”

Students had been trying to form a [LGBT advocacy] group for weeks, though it wasn’t until [faculty adviser Jennie] Turrell signed onto the group as a sponsor that the organizations finally gained momentum . . . Turrell said she’s received stacks of letters from supporters from states across the country that she’s been able to show students.

The Middle Tennessee chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network [GLSEN] also plans to have 20 people carpool to Winchester to attend the rally and meeting to support students in the club, said Justin Sweatman-Weaver, the Middle Tennessee chapter’s co-chair.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read School Sex Books Mandatory: Virginia Governor Veto

And read Gay Agenda Quiz Guilts Florida Middle Schoolers

NJ Parents Reject School's New Transgender Policy

Unlike the parents in several New Jersey school districts which recently enacted the Gay/Transgender Agenda open-bathroom policies, parents of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District are not standing still for a policy that allows students to hide an alternative "gender identity" from their own parents, and also requires the school to accept every child's sexual whim.

The Board of Education believes the responsibility for determining a student's gender identity rests with the student . . . Therefore, the Board will accept a student's assertion of his or her gender identity when there is consistent and uniform assertion of the gender identity, or any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as a part of the student’s core identity. The Board of Education will not question or disregard the assertion of a student’s gender identity.
The Board also recognized a transgender student’s right to privacy, and therefore, if a student represents that his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) is unaware of the student’s gender identity, the school and district staff must obtain consent from the student prior to communicating with his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding the student’s transgender status.
-- Board of Education, Pascack Valley Regional High School District

For background, read President Obama Forces Wildest Transgender Agenda on School Children Using Full Force of Federal Government and now Hillary Clinton Promises Even MORE 'Transgender/Gay Rights'

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Florida School Rejects Gay Agenda ENDA Proposal

Parents' Lawyer Halts Wisconsin School Transgender Sneak Attack

Missouri Residents Protest Transgender/Gay Boy in Girls Locker Room

Virginia Bathroom Privacy Bill Defeated in Legislature

But Virginia School is Sued for Letting Girls in Boys Locker Room

Also read Transgender Restrooms Evolve for South Dakota Schools

UPDATE 4/2/16: Toilets NOT in Restrooms will be New Design for Transgender Agenda

-- From "Transgender rights under debate in Pascack Valley schools" by Myles Ma, The Star-Ledger NJ.com 3/30/16

A crowd of more than 100 people debated the issue Tuesday night at Pascack Hills High School [in Montvale, NJ].

The policy would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, allow transgender students to participate in physical education classes and sports, as well as provide access to restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity.

Pascack Valley school officials plan to introduce the policy next week and vote on it the following week.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Bergen School District Designs Policy To Protect Transgender Students" by Daniel Hubbard, Patch Staff 3/31/16

A new proposal by the Pascack Valley Board of Education would permit district students to use locker rooms and restrooms based on their gender identity and require staff to address students by the name and gender pronoun a student identifies with.

A student would be permitted to take physical education classes "consistent with their gender identity."

A student's records, including grade books and their permanent record, would be required to reflect the gender as well. Official student records would be changed if a parent documents a legal change of a student's name or gender.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pascack Valley enters national debate on transgender rights" by Andrew Wyrich and Abbott Koloff, staff writers, The Record (Bergen County, NJ) 3/30/16

Theresa Jordan, a Hillsdale resident and mother of a Pascack Valley High School student, said her objections over the issue of restroom use were centered on her religious beliefs, adding that she was “looking out for the rights of my daughter not to be exposed to something I don't want her to be exposed to.”

Pascack Valley temporarily tabled the proposal last month after parents at a Feb. 22 Board of Education meeting opposed it, with one woman questioning whether it opened the door to “sexual immorality.” . . .

The Pascack Valley proposal is similar to model school policies that have been circulating around the state. In North Jersey, North Arlington, Carlstadt, East Rutherford and Mahwah have adopted such policies. The North Arlington policy, approved earlier this year, uses the same language as the one in Pascack Valley. Last month, Toms River school officials put a similar proposal on hold after it met with opposition from parents and local religious leaders.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Board tables transgender policy after public outcry" by Staff Writer, Pascack Valley Community Life, The Record (Bergen County, NJ) 3/3/16

At the meeting, held at Pascack Valley High School, Hillsdale resident Bernadette Orso, a mother of a teenage son, called that part of the policy an "invasion of privacy" and not "proper or respectful."

Sherry Silk, a Montvale resident, agreed. In the instance of an anatomical boy identifying as a girl, she said it may "open a door" for "sexual immorality."

Carolee Adams, another Montvale resident, concurred, telling the board to postpone the vote and that the policy needs "further investigation and time."

While the board moved to table the policy after much public outcry, Board President Jeffrey Steinfeld told parents that the district's two principals, as well as the board attorney, told the board that they should have the policy in place, for one to avoid litigation. Board Member Arnold Scher was opposed to tabling the policy.

[Steinfeld] added that the policy committee reviewed the policy and a "tremendous amount of thought" went into it. Superintendent Erik Gundersen explained that the needs and rights of transgender students is a "significant factor for the policy."

"We have a strong policy in place," said Gundersen. "You have to allow [transgender students] the right to have access to a locker room. They have the legal right to have access. We don't have the legal right to say no."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read how Parents and Schools are to Blame for Kids' Transgenderism

And read Transgenderism is a 'Delusion' According to Victims and Professionals

Christmas, Easter Jettisoned from Omaha Schools

School board member Paul Meyer received zero support from fellow board members in his effort to restore Christian holidays scratched from the calendar by administrators of the Millard School District of Omaha, Nebraska.  In fact, Meyer was forced to apologize after being lambasted in the local media for suggesting that Christmas-hating atheists can "crawl back into their hellhole."

“[I'm] a little bit tired of a minute minority in this country that keeps pushing Christmas out, keep pushing God out, keep pushing Christ out, when the majority is still a Judeo-Christian country. . . . I’m getting sick of these atheists trying to take over this country.”
-- Paul Meyer, Millard School District Board of Education

For background, read Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

Also read Majority in U.S. Want Christmas Celebrated WITHIN Schools: Poll

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christmas Holiday OUT, Lunar New Year IN School Calendars

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Kentucky School Censors 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Play

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

-- From "Effort to rename Millard Public Schools' winter break fails" by The Associated Press 3/22/16

Meyer was concerned that the calendar didn't place enough significance on the religious holiday.

Board President Mike Kennedy said he appreciated Meyer's position, but said he didn't believe the administration made an intentional effort to remove Christmas from the calendar.

None of the board members present - Kennedy, Mike Pate and Pat Ricketts - seconded Meyer's motion. The board then adopted the calendar on a 3-1 vote without specifying a name for the break. Meyer was the dissenting vote.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Millard school board member wants winter break called Christmas break, says atheists who disagree can 'crawl back into their hellhole'" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/23/16

[Paul Meyer] expressed disappointment that the administration had not labeled the break on the calendar — Dec. 25, 2017, through Jan. 5, 2018 — as Christmas break.

“I would like to make a motion that we rename this period Christmas break, and those atheists who don’t like it can crawl back into their hellhole, because I, for one, will not put my Lord, my God, aside for a few atheists,” Meyer said. “And if they don’t like it, the ACLU doesn’t like it, the heck with them.”

“I do know, as a Catholic, I have no problem the way the calendar is,” [Board President Mike] Kennedy said. “I celebrate Christmas. I know other people on this board do too. People are free to celebrate what they want to believe.”

“I don’t think anyone’s trying to take away Christmas from any child,” he said.

[Board member Mike] Pate said he and fellow board member Ricketts recently raised the issue about why spring break is not aligned with the Easter holiday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Schools often try to align spring break with Easter, but holiday's hopping around makes it a tricky feat" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/22/16

Although they no longer call it Easter break, some Omaha area public school officials still schedule spring break to coincide with the Christian holy day.

Next year, with Easter occurring late in the school year, eight of the 12 districts will do so.

District administrators told the Millard board that in recent years they have scheduled spring break earlier to avoid the period of time when students take statewide math, reading and science tests. This year, the Nebraska State Accountability testing window runs from Monday through May 6.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Atheist groups decry 'hate speech' from Millard school board member who wants winter break called Christmas break" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/23/16

[Paul] Meyer used “unprofessional and derogatory language” during the discussion, which amounted to “hate speech against a minority group,” according to a letter Amanda Novotny wrote Tuesday to the school board and the superintendent. She identified herself as the Nebraska director for American Atheists and the marketing director for Omaha Atheists.

[Paul Meyer] doesn’t hate them, he said. “What I hate is their sin.”

Meyer said he is Lutheran and said his father was a Lutheran minister. He said the country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and said he thinks it’s OK for public officials to express their religious beliefs.

“Definitely, I wish more did,” he said.

“This is just what it’s been throughout the ages,” he said. “It’s been considered Christmas break. Why do we even break at this time of the year? What is the purpose? This is why the break was even established, because of the Christmas holiday.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Millard school board member apologizes for controversial remarks about atheists" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/24/16

In a letter to district staff, [Paul Meyer] wrote that after reflection he realized his comments “have been hurtful to many people.”

“This is not what I intended, and I am sorry,” he wrote.

Then Wednesday, Meyer said in a phone interview that he decided to apologize after reflecting on the situation.

“I don’t want to bring a bad light on the district,” he said.

Meyer was elected in 2012 to a four-year term. He is not running for re-election.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Angry Muslims Storm New Jersey School Board Demanding Holidays

And read Loud Muslim Prayer: Takeover of Michigan Town

Florida School Rejects Gay Agenda ENDA Proposal

The one-town-at-a-time strategy of the Gay/Transgender Agenda hit a road block last week when the Brevard County School Board, after hearing from residents, voted unanimously against an ordinance change proposed by a Heritage High School (Palm Bay, Florida) sexual revolutionary teacher to grant special rights based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

"You can see the spirit of the town here. This is not San Francisco, folks. This is Brevard County."
-- Friar Demetri Tsigas, Greek Orthodox priest, Melbourne, FL

"There is a spiritual force here, and it is evil."
-- Terry Rocks, The Brevard Youth Network

"The majority is speaking tonight. We are speaking tonight. We are saying we want God’s word in our public schools. We are the majority. We want godly principles in our public schools. We want Jesus Christ back in our schools."
-- Bradford Cole, resident of Cape Canaveral, FL

For background, read President Obama Forces Wildest Transgender Agenda on School Children Using Full Force of Federal Government and now Hillary Clinton Promises Even MORE 'Transgender/Gay Rights'

Also read Transgender Restrooms for South Dakota Schools Passes

UPDATE 4/2/16: Toilets NOT in Restrooms will be New Design for Transgender Agenda

And read how the Gay/Transgender Agenda attacks one town at a time across America because the sexual revolutionaries have been unable to force the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) through Congress.

Also read Transgenderism is a 'Delusion' According to Victims and Professionals



-- From "Brevard Schools meeting on LGBT rights draws crowds" by Sachelle Saunders - Reporter, WKMG-TV6 (Orlando, FL) 2/24/16

The cause is led primarily by LGBT high school teacher and advocate Daniel Wal-Desousa.

Dozens of parents, grandparents, and Brevard County School workers lined up to express their concern about changing the anti-discrimination policy.

After a more than five-hour meeting, the board ultimately decided to hold off on sending the anti-discrimination policy word changes to a public hearing, until they can all agree on the implications of it.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Brevard school board kills LGBT proposal" by Ilana Kowarski, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network 2/24/16

Nearly 100 people signed up to speak at the meeting, and most of those who spoke were in opposition to the LGBT policy.

Policy opponents said they feared the LGBT policy would mean that those who voice religious objections to gay marriage in local schools would be branded as bigots and disciplined for discrimination. Some opponents said they wanted to preach scripture in schools, and many said they were concerned about transgender individuals using public school bathrooms. They argued that the LGBT policy threatened morality.

The Liberty Counsel, a national litigation and advocacy organization that represents the interests of American evangelical Christians and cultural conservatives, sent a letter to the Brevard School Board prior to this hearing, stating its strong opposition to the LGBT policies and its willingness to legally challenge the policies if they are imposed. That public letter was cited multiple times during the course of the school board hearing.

In the conclusion of its letter, the Counsel added, "If the District enacts these misguided changes, and instead violates the First Amendment rights of other students and teachers, Liberty Counsel stands prepared to advocate on their behalf against the District."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Florida school board unanimously rejects homosexual, transgender concessions" by Fr. Mark Hodges, LifeSiteNews 2/26/16

The [Liberty Counsel] letter continued, "'Sexual orientation' or 'gender identity'...are not like others protected by law.  They are subjective, behavior-based categories, rather than federally-recognized immutable characteristics like race, color, sex, national origin, or constitutionally-protected fundamental rights, like religion."

The letter also notes that the "legal bullying" of the Obama administration's Office of Civil Rights' "baseless" statements "strong-arm[ing] school districts" for transgender bathrooms "cites no legal authority – case law or statutory – for the claim that Title IX now applies to students claiming to be the opposite sex."

"A student with gender confusion who truly believes he or she is the opposite sex should be treated with care, compassion, and kindness, but must not be officially affirmed in his or her confusion, no matter how sincerely-held," the lawyers' letter stated.

"Many parents ... stood up in opposition to this dangerous policy change. We win when we show up," Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, said in a press release.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christian Lawmakers, Gov. Overturn Charlotte, NC Gay/Transgender Agenda Ordinance

Accused Bisexual Abuser Hired by Multiple Schools

Child-Self Porn Legalized in New Mexico: Sexting

Opposing Sexual Deviancy Verboten in California School

PDF: Liberty Counsel letter to Brevard schools

Judge Jesus Says 'Stop Praying' to Calif. School

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal ruled in favor of the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which sued the Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County, California, for praying at school board meetings.  In a summary judgment, Bernal prohibited such prayers going forward and awarded the FFRF “costs including reasonable attorney’s fees.”

“The court declares that the resolution permitting religious prayer in board meetings, and the policy and custom of reciting prayers, Bible readings and proselytizing at board meetings, constitute unconstitutional endorsements of religion in violation of plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights.”
-- Judge Jesus Bernal

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Ohio School Board Wants Prayer, Ignoring Atheists

North Carolina Citizens Demand Prayer in Public School

Let us Pray in School: It's the Law in Missouri

Prayer Stays in Florida School, Opposing Atheists

Wyoming School Allows Prayer Under Lawsuit Threat

Arizona Town Council Prays to Jesus

Texas School Supt. Tells Anti-prayer Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

-- From "Judge enjoins school board from prayer" by Mel Ewald, Chino Champion 2/20/16

God and Jesus Christ were conspicuously absent from Thursday’s meeting of the Chino Valley school board.

No mention of the ruling was made during Thursday’s meeting, which was conducted by board vice president Sylvia Orozco in the absence of president Andrew Cruz. Mrs. Orozco said Mr. Cruz was present during the afternoon closed session of the board, when the lawsuit was discussed, but then went home sick.

Mrs. Orozco and Mr. Cruz were defendants in the suit, along with fellow board members Irene Hernandez-Blair and James Na.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge tells Chino Valley school board to stop prayers in meetings" by Beau Yarbrough, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 2/19/16

Mr. Na is an active member of the Watchmen Ministry at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, according to a biography on the district website. Board President Cruz is also a church member there, according to his biography.

The church has cheered Na’s advocacy of church-friendly views on the board.

“Our own James Na, Chino Unified school board member, successfully spearheaded a campaign to reintroduce the Bible back into the public schools as history and literature,” a June 2010 post on the church’s Facebook page reads in part.

Chino Valley Unified’s attorneys from Sacramento-based Pacific Justice Institute, a nonprofit conservative legal defense organization that specializes in religious freedom, could not be reached for comment Friday.

It’s unclear whether the district will appeal Bernal’s ruling.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Chino Valley Unified School District Target Of Suit Over Prayer At Board Meetings" posted at CBS News Los Angeles 11/20/14

The suit filed on behalf of some parents, students and employees claims they, “feel alienated from board meetings because of these prayers, Bible readings, and proselytizing, and therefore feel excluded from the political process that controls their education, their children’s education, and their jobs.”

Many at the [school board] meeting supported the board’s alleged behavior, including the outgoing Chino police chief.

“All of the qualities you see in me came from my faith. They came from my belief in God,” Chief Miles Pruitt said.

“Prayer works. God hears prayer,” one meeting attendee said.

Another stated: “I’ve never met anyone who was offended when I asked if I could pray for them so please keep up this good example.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Allows Christian Prayer in Government Meetings, in fact Supreme Court Justice Scalia Said Government Should Favor God of the Bible

And read Loud Muslim Prayer Takes Over Michigan Town

LA Lesbian Teacher Arrested: Sex with Minor Girl

Kimberly Naquin, a 26-year-old teacher at Destrehan (Louisiana) High School and a daughter of St. Charles Parish School Board President Dennis Naquin, has been charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile (statutory rape) for a year-long lesbian sexual affair with a student.  The school is notorious for three teacher-student sex arrests over the past two years, including one pair of female teachers engaging in a tryst with a student.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Homosexual, Lesbian Teachers Arrested for Sex with Students

Illinois Lesbian Coach Arrested for Sexually Abusing Girls

Court Orders Lesbian Teachers back in New York School

Lesbian Seminar Teaching Kids How to be Homosexual

1st-grade Lesbians Force Sex on Ohio 2nd Grade Girl





-- From "Destrehan teacher arrested, accused of having sex with female student" posted at St. Charles Herald Guide (Boutte, LA) 1/15/16

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation began after a family member of the student provided information about the alleged crime. Detectives interviewed the student, who said that she did have a sexual relationship with a DHS teacher named Kimberly Naquin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

According to the student, the relationship began in September 2014 and lasted until August 2015.

The student advised most of the inappropriate contact occurred at the teacher’s prior residence, which was located in Kenner; however an undetermined amount of incidents occurred within St. Charles Parish at a Destrehan High School classroom and a Destrehan residence, according to investigators.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Teacher accused of student sex is School Board president's child" by Jonathan Bullington, The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) 1/15/16

Naquin is being held without bond at the Nelson Coleman Corrections facility in Killona. Her Facebook page says her mother, Karen Naquin, is a teacher in the St. Charles Parish public school system.

Her arrest comes three months after Destrehan High teachers Shelly Dufresne and Rachel Respess were accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student. Dufresne pleaded guilty to a felony obscenity charge in St. Charles for having sex with the student at a home in Montz, where she lives. She received a three-year deferred prison sentence, three years of probation and a $1,000 fine.

For allegedly having sex with the same student at Respess' apartment in Kenner, Dufresene has pleaded not guilty in Jefferson Parish to two counts of carnal knowledge. Respess, originally accused of engagaing in group sex there with Dufresene and the student, was charged by prosecutors with failing to report a felony. She, too,has pleaded not guilty.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "What's with Destrehan High? 3 teacher-student sex cases in 2 years" by Danielle Dreilinger, The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) 1/15/16

Louisiana already had a bad reputation for inappropriate relationships between school staff and students: In 2014, it ranked third in the United States, counting both convictions and arrests. That included Shelley Dufresne and Rachel Respess, who taught English at Destrehan High until their arrests that fall on charges of having group sex with a 16-year-old boy.

Louisiana law generally forbids sex between an adult and a person younger than 17. It strictly prohibits sexual contact between a teacher and a student through the age of 20, and it's very clear how seriously school systems should treat abuse.

But the laws and policies do not necessarily include consequences for the higher-ups. Destrehan High Principal Stephen Weber, for example, kept his job after the 2014 abuse came to light. And the state Education Department did not contact, sanction, reprimand or intervene at the school, spokesman Barry Landry said. He would not release Weber's annual evaluation results, saying they were not public information; the 2014-15 results aren't complete yet anyway.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Gay Teacher Arrested for Watching Anal Sex in Classroom

Muslims Force Maryland Schools Closed Routinely

In order to accommodate demands for observance of numerous Muslim holidays, the politically correct Howard County School Board voted to close schools for virtually every religious event under the sun regardless of the prevalence or absence of such adherents in the supposed multicultural school system of suburban Maryland.

"I strongly believe that our school calendar should be inclusive of the cultures and religions of all Howard County residents.  In a county where we pride ourselves on our diversity, we have to demonstrate that in terms of our actions."
-- Janet Siddiqui, Board Member

“Howard County is no longer majority Judeo-Christian.  We are made up of all kinds of people.  There is nothing to study in my opinion.  It's either all or none. I cannot vote for anything that is not inclusive."
-- Ann De Lacy, Board Member

“Once you open to that [long list of holidays], you have to honor every single one, and that becomes impractical in finding a way to serve school for 180 days.”
-- Ellen Flynn Giles, Board Vice Chairman

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Angry Muslims Demand School Holiday for Ramadan in New Jersey

D.C. Muslims Force Christmas Off Maryland School Calendar

'Allahu Akbar' Taught in Minnesota School for Christmas

Also read Majority in U.S. Want Christmas Celebrated WITHIN Schools: Poll





-- From "Howard Co. school board expands religious holiday status quo" by Kristi King, WTOP-FM103.5 (Washington, D.C.) 1/14/16

Rejecting an option that would have kept schools open on the Jewish High Holidays, the school board voted Thursday night to also give students off days to observe [the Hindu holiday] Diwali, [the Muslim holiday] Eid and the Lunar New Year.

The move to accommodate observances of additional religious holidays only applies to the 2016-17 school year while studies are conducted.

Numbers of area school systems have been making adjustments related to observing religious holidays.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools recently decided to open schools on Rosh Hashanah in 2016 for the first time in more than a decade. Teachers aren’t allowed to give tests and exams on that day or any other day of “major religious observances” such as Eid al-Adha and Yom Kippur.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Md. school system keeps Jewish holidays, adds days off for Diwali, Lunar New Year and Eid al-Adha" by Donna St. George, Washington Post 1/15/16

The board said its action — in a unanimous 8-0 vote — was a one-year decision, for the 2016-2017 school year, that would come as the system of 55,000 students studies the issue and plans a voluntary survey of religious preferences. It asked district staff to report back with a range of options for how to implement the change.

More broadly, Howard’s action is likely to draw attention as school systems nationally struggle with how to create an inclusive school calendar — balancing fairness, logistics and legal constraints — as their communities are increasingly diverse and vocal.

Maryland state law requires schools to be closed on Christmas and Good Friday, as well as Easter Monday. Howard schools have chosen to close for the Jewish holidays since 1979, when officials said staff absentee rates of 12 percent were interfering with instruction.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Howard County adds Muslim, Hindu holidays to school calendar" by Lisa Philip, Howard County Times - The Baltimore Sun 1/15/16

. . . during a discussion at the board's meeting on Thursday night, several members expressed the need for next year's academic calendar go beyond closing schools on the two Jewish holidays, to be more inclusive of the county's increasingly diverse population and to allow non-Judeo-Christian students to celebrate their religious and cultural traditions. . . . [even though] The school system does not record the religious backgrounds of its students.

[Superintendent Renee] Foose also recommended that the board hire an independent firm to survey and collect data about students' and families' religious and cultural observances, to inform the work of the 2017 to 2018 calendar committee.

[Board member Bess] Altwerger said that she agreed with the suggestion, but that the school system should recognize Lunar New Year Eve, Diwali and Eid al-Adha in the meantime. She found sympathetic views among most of her fellow board members.

Members of the East Asian, Muslim and Hindu communities have advocated for the inclusion of their religious holidays for at least the past two school years. Eid al-Adha, an important holiday on the Muslim calendar, and Diwali, equally as important for the Hindu community, have never been recognized on the county's school calendar before.

Last year after hearing requests from the Chinese and Korean communities, the board voted to place a professional development day on the Lunar New Year in the 2015-2016 school year. . . .

Because of the need for separation between church and state, [board member Sandie] French said, holidays cannot be given to students for religious reasons, but rather must be given for logistical reasons.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Islam Lesson Closes School: Virginia Parents Fume

And read Tennessee Students Taught Muslim Prayer of Conversion