Settlement Approved In Suit Challenging Ban On Wearing Rosaries In School

A New York federal district court yesterday approved a settlement in a suit that was brought on behalf of a 13-year old middle school student in Schenectady, New York who was suspended for wearing a rosary outside his shirt to school. The school argued that items made of beads are gang-related. The settlement stipulation (full text) in R.H. v. Schenectady City School District, (ND NY, Oct. 30, 2010), calls for defendants to pay the student $2500 in damages and expunge his school record. The settlement also calls for defendants to pay $20,000 in attorneys' fees. The school has already modified its policy on wearing rosaries.  American Center for Law & Justice announced the approval of the settlement. (See prior related posting.)