CENTER ATTORNEYS SECURE RIGHT TO PRAY FOR ILLINOIS TEACHERS
On April 7 Robert De Luca and other faculty members at the Garfield School in Illinois resumed meeting for prayer after the school district’s superintendent confirmed the district has no policy prohibiting voluntary teacher association for the purpose of religious expression during non-contract time.
In early March, when Mr. De Luca asked the school principal if he and other teachers were permitted to meet in a classroom a few days each week to pray before the students entered the building, she responded, “not in my school.” Center attorneys communicated with the school superintendent and convinced her that a teacher’s right to assemble and pray with other teachers during non-contract time is protected by the First Amendment.
CEF GROUP FREED FROM DISCRIMINATORY RENTAL CHARGES
As a consequence of the Center’s efforts, Child Evangelism Fellowship of Missouri was granted permission to meet in
Park Hill School District facilities without being charged rental fees not assessed against other community groups.
In early March, Christy Heath, the Director of CEF of Missouri contacted the Park Hill School District
Superintendent’s office about starting a Good News Club within the school district. District officials initially granted
CEF access to the school district’s facilities, but indicated they would charge the group a weekly rental fee of $45.00
on the ground that CEF was a “church group.” Center attorneys contacted the superintendent’s office and made it clear to
district officials that their rental fee policy discriminated against religious organizations.
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