An article in this morning's Toledo (OH) Blade reviews the complex aftermath of what began as a straight-forward church-state dispute over the appearance of a Christian rock band at a Rossford, Ohio high school assembly. After Rossford school administrators cancelled the band's performance, fearing church-state problems, the band unsuccessfully sued in federal district court alleging religious discrimination. An appeal to the 6th Circuit is pending, but a divided Rossford school board voted not to spend money to defend its position in the appeal. School Superintendent Luci Gernot, however, opposes entering any settlement with the band, known as Pawn.
Whatever the outcome of the litigation, all of the publicity has been good for the band. It is getting more gigs and charging more for each appearance. Meanwhile the controversy has led to charges of conflict of interest among school board members. The father of band member Kyle Kleeberger-- who was also until recently the band's unpaid manager-- is on the Rossford school board. Kyle did not join in the band's lawsuit, but his father, David, has continued to vote on issues concerning the band. Michael Spahr was a member of the school board until recently. His son had been a member of Pawn until 2003. Meanwhile, the secular band that was picked to replace Pawn at the school assembly was Blind Ambition-- a group led by Kevin McAlear, whose father Mike managed the band and was also a member of the Rossford school board.
Richard Hotz, a former Rossford school board member, said: "The matter was never a religious issue to begin with - it was more about David Kleeberger wanting his son's band to get exposure." Kleeberger denied this, saying his goal was to "open religious thought" to the school.
