Florida High Schools Move Graduations Out Of Church

Yesterday's Orlando Sentinel reports that four high schools in Brevard County, Florida, this year will hold their graduations in secular venues. Last October, the Brevard County School Board settled a suit brought by Americans United For Separation of Church and State, agreeing that they would no longer hold graduation in houses of worship unless religious symbols were concealed or removed. The schools had been using Calvary Chapel, a church at the foot of a 25-foot-tall Christian cross. Last year's graduations were still there because the court held there was not enough time to reschedule the ceremonies then. But this year, the schools are complying with the settlement agreement. Interestingly, three of the four schools are holding their graduations this year on Saturday morning, and no one seems to have raised any question about whether this creates a problem for students who observe Saturday as their Sabbath.