Louisiana school district, separation of church and state group settle religion lawsuit

Two Benton High School students were ordered to remove a logo from the football field end zones because it included Christian references. The logo belonged to Christ Fit Gym, a faith-based gymnasium in nearby Bossier City, Louisiana. It included the words “Christ Fit Gym,” a cross and a Bible verse reference, 1 Timothy 4:8.

A Bossier Parish, Louisiana school district reached a settlement after an almost year-long lawsuit from the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State dealing with religion in schools.

Both sides are calling it a victory.

The Bossier Parish School Board submitted slight revisions to the board's current Religious Expression Policy as part of the preliminary agreement, announced Tuesday.

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The Washington D.C.-based group filed a federal lawsuit last February, on behalf of eight unnamed families, alleging the district was promoting Christianity and proselytizing students. Four families dropped out of the lawsuit after their children were no longer in the school.

“This historic settlement is a victory for all Bossier families, and will ensure that children feel welcome and included in their own schools, regardless of what religion they do or don’t practice at home,” said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United. “Bossier Parish allowed religious coercion to proliferate throughout their schools – that system will no longer exist and rigorous protections that are enforceable by law have been put in place for all students. We are thrilled that Bossier Parish Schools are now fulfilling the promise of religious freedom for all of their students.”

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Americans United alleged multiple religious freedom violations had occurred, including school events being held at churches or involving prayers as part of the official program, extensive promotion of religion within school athletic programs, teachers proselytizing in classrooms, and religious displays in classrooms and offices.

In September, with the lawsuit ongoing, two students at Benton High School in the district targeted by Americans United were ordered to remove a logo from the football field end zones because it included Christian references. The logo belonged to Christ Fit Gym, a faith-based gymnasium in nearby Bossier City, Louisiana. It included the words “Christ Fit Gym,” a cross and a Bible verse reference, 1 Timothy 4:8.

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Americans United said provisions of the settlement include:

• Creation of a monitoring committee to review and resolve potential violations or disputes involving religious freedom.
• An agreement by the School Board to create, expand or seek out appropriate facilities to minimize the need to hold school events in places of worship.
• A commitment to protecting the rights of all Bossier students to pray in school, as long as the prayers are initiated by students, aren’t disruptive and don’t occur during class time.
• Permission for Bossier teachers to teach about religion in an objective manner, but not proselytize students.

But the school board also declared victory. It touted it was able to preserve religious freedoms in the school, allowing students who want to pray and speak about religion the ability to do so. The current religion policy says:

• Students maintain the right to pray at school and at school events.
• Students will be allowed to speak about religion at school events.
• Does not penalize school employees who bow their heads when prayers are offered.
• Allows teachers to teach about religion in an objective manner.
• Allows student clubs of all kinds, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, to continue to organize, meet and be active on campus.
• Allows students to express their own ideas verbally and to distribute literature.
• Allows employees to wear items of jewelry that include symbols associated with religion

"The settlement allows for the closure of this case without the loss of any student rights, which is of utmost importance to the Board,” Bossier Schools Superintendent Scott Smith said in a statement. “We are pleased to be able to resolve this matter without impinging upon our students’ rights, which we see as a victory for all of Bossier Parish.”

A federal judge is expected to sign off on the agreement made by both sides.