School Responds To No-Prayer Injunction By Ending Review of Student Graduation Speeches

Earlier this month, an Indiana federal district court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the planned student-led prayer at suburban Indianapolis' Greenwood High School's upcoming graduation. The school conducts a student ballot at an assembly in which students vote on whether to have a fellow student deliver a non-denominational prayer at graduation. (See prior posting.) In response to the court ruling, the Greenwood Community School Corporation announced that this year school "officials will not review the speeches of the four student speakers which will allow them to voice their opinions with no restrictions." In the past, the school principal had reviewed a written copy of students' remarks. The school board statement urged speakers to be responsible and respectful of others. According to AP, school officials say speakers, however, will not be stopped even if they use profane language or deliver politically charged speeches.