Knoxville School Board Passes Policy On Religious Expression

A pending lawsuit against the Knoxville, Tennessee schools over student rights may now be closer to final dismissal. (See prior postings 1, 2.) The Knox County School Board on Wednesday unanimously passed a policy clearly permitting students to freely engage in religious exercise and expression during discretionary times, such as recess, so long as they do not disrupt the educational process, harass others or prevent school officials from maintaining order. A second vote on the school board's new rules is required for them to become final. The Knoxville News Sentinel yesterday reported on these developments, as well as on a second resolution passed by the board affirming that the school system complies with state and federal laws on religion and religious expression in schools.