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By MARK GUYDISH [email protected]
Sunday, March 02, 2003 Page: 3A
The U.S. government has issued new guidelines on prayer in public schools
that include – for the first time – a mandate that each district annually
certify it is complying or risk losing federal money.
Superintendents in several local districts said they were not familiar with
all of the details, but that’s hardly a surprise. The state Department of
Education – responsible for gathering those compliance certifications – didn’t
issue specifics until Friday morning.
The new instructions, dubbed “Guidance on constitutionally protected
prayer in public elementary and secondary schools,” were unveiled Feb. 7. The
annual certification process must begin by March 15.
Wyoming Area Superintendent Ray Bernardi said that on Friday the state sent
computer messages to superintendents detailing the certification process.
The Federal guidelines, for the most part, simply restated similar
guidelines issued during the Clinton administration based on court rulings.
Prayer is generally allowed provided it happens outside the class and is
initiated by students, not by school officials.
There are specifics in the new rules that were not in the old ones,
including allowing students to read the bible during lunch, and allowing
teachers to meet with each other for “prayer or Bible study” before school
or after lunch.
It’s important teachers make clear they are not acting in “official
capacities” when doing so.
Also, students taking part in assemblies and graduation may not be
restricted in expressing religion as long as they were chosen as speakers
through “neutral, evenhanded criteria.”
Schools cannot endorse or arrange religious activities, but must allow them
“to the extent” other activities are allowed. To avoid problems, schools may
issue disclaimers noting a speech or activity doesn’t represent the school.
Critics contend the new guidelines push too far toward prayer in school.
“They took the Clinton-era regulations, which just stated what the law was,
and turned them into a wish list of what this administration wants them to
be,” said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation
of Church and State.
Crestwood Superintendent Ted Geffert said the district solicitor is
reviewing the new guidelines.
Dallas Superintendent Gilbert Griffiths said administrators have discussed
the new guidelines and we’re basically doing everything they say to do.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161.