Greenville County School trustees say they're ready to put an end to the long, costly fight against a lawsuit challenging prayer and other religious references at graduation ceremonies. A statement from the district office says board members have voted to sign a proposed agreement with the American Humanist Association, the group that filed a lawsuit seven years ago and won a permanent injunction in federal Court this past march that prohibits students from leading prayers or speaking from what was termed a "religious perspective" at school functions. They say the proposed settlement, which will require court approval, covers those concerns but also -- in the words of the board's statement --" strongly affirms and protects the religious freedom of District students and employees in accordance with the United States Constitution. It adds: "this settlement reduces by nearly two-thirds the amount of legal fees awarded to the American Humanist Association by the U.S. District Court. The fees will be paid by Greenville County Schools former insurance carrier, and will not have any effect on the District budget or impact student learning. The agreement also contains language the board says -- again quoting -- "that references existing GCS policies and training procedures focused on remaining neutral on the topic of religion by neither encouraging or discouraging religious speech."
So we want to hear from you: Should students in S.C. be allowed to pray at official school events?
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