School District Barred From Promoting Prayer and Religious Activities

In Doe v. School Board for Santa Rosa County, Florida, (ND FL, Jan 9, 2009), a Florida federal district court issued a temporary injunction banning Santa Rosa County schools from promoting prayers during school-sponsored events; sponsoring religious baccalaureate services at schools; holding school-sponsored events at religious venues when other sites are reasonably available; permitting school officials to promote their personal religious beliefs or proselytize students in class or during school-sponsored activities; and otherwise unconstitutionally endorsing or coercing religion. A press release issued yesterday by the Florida ACLU says that the school district has already admitted to the court that religious activities in the schools have violated students' rights.