THURSDAY, May 26 — The Neptune school district’s attorney today sent the ACLU of New Jersey a certified copy of the school board resolution agreeing to the terms of the settlement between the two parties.
This is the final step in resolving the dispute.
The full text of the resolution, approved by the school board on Wednesday, is as follows:
WHEREAS, the Neptune Township Board of Education has, for more than 70 years, conducted its High School graduation ceremony at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove; and
WHEREAS, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has raised various concerns both to the content of the graduation program and the use of the Great Auditorium as the graduation venue; and
WHEREAS, the Board and the ACLU have agreed to various changes to the High School graduation ceremony designed to address the ACLU’s concerns while preserving the Great Auditorium High School graduation tradition; and
WHEREAS, the Board seeks to memorialize its agreement with the ACLU in a formal Board Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Education of the Township of Neptune, in the County of Monmouth, resolves as follows:
1. At the 2011 graduation ceremony and in the future, the religious sign on the choir entrance door will be covered;
2. At the 2011 graduation ceremony and in the future, the Board of Education will cover the two large electronic signs within the Great Auditorium so that they are not visible during the course of the graduation ceremony;
3. At the 2011 graduation ceremony and in the future, the Board of Education will not illuminate the cross on the front of the Great Auditorium while attendees and graduates are entering, participating in and leaving the graduation ceremony; and the entrance where the cross is displayed will not be the primary entrance and;
4. At the 2011 graduation ceremony and in the future, the Board of Education will not incorporate any hymn, prayers or other religious content into the graduation ceremony;
5. At the 2011 graduation ceremony and in the future, pupils and guests will enter the Great Auditorium through the doors located at the south, west and north sides of the building and no pupils or guests will be required to enter the Auditorium from the east side of the building where the cross is located.
So moved.
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NOTE: For background on the dispute between the school board and the ACLU, go here.
Interesting. Now *that* sounds like a violation of the First Amendment.
“Suffer irreparable harm??” Seems to be a rather weak, thin-skinned lot. Just saying.
A federal judge has ordered a Texas school district to prohibit public prayer at a high school graduation ceremony.
Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery’s order against the Medina Valley Independent School District also forbids students from using specific religious words including “prayer” and “amen.”
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by Christa and Danny Schultz. Their son is among those scheduled to participate in Saturday’s graduation ceremony. The judge declared that the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the ceremony.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said the school district is in the process of appealing the ruling, and his office has agreed to file a brief in their support.
…
Judge Biery’s ruling banned students and other speakers from using religious language in their speeches. Among the banned words or phrases are: “join in prayer,” “bow their heads,” “amen,” and “prayer.”
He also ordered the school district to remove the terms “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation program.
“These terms shall be replaced with ‘opening remarks’ and ‘closing remarks,'” the judge’s order stated. His ruling also prohibits anyone from saying, “in [a deity’s name] we pray.”
Should a student violate the order, school district officials could find themselves in legal trouble. Judge Biery ordered that his ruling be “enforced by incarceration or other sanctions for contempt of Court if not obeyed by District official (sic) and their agents.”
If these kids are graduating without understanding the concept of the First Amendment, I’d fire the teachers and vote in new members of the Board of Ed. Kudos to the ACLU! The only tradition here is one of oppressive behavior of a religious majority and a Board of Ed defending illegal behavior. No one should be proud of this tradition.
I thank God for the love and tolerance, even in the face of verbal assaults, that Ocean Grovers have shown over the past couple of years. And I am also thankful that a few, self-focused, self-important and just plain selfish people cannot diminish the kind spirit that is Ocean Grove.
I know that most of the “proud, exceptional class of 2011” would have been happier had tradition not been tinkered with, but they have shown a graciousness and acceptance that should put the ACLU and its ilk to shame.
This is a serious charge. Are you from Ocean Grove? Did you experience these expressions in OG or Neptune Township? Maybe you should discuss your observations with someone from the township committee. They should see that an investigation is conducted and tell us if we have a bias problem in town or not. You brought it up, anonymously, but if you are a caring citizen, you should go further with your complaint. PG
I’m so glad the ACLU finally spoke up for those of us who are NOT Christian! The antisemitism and hatred I have seen displayed in recent days, by people I’ve known my entire life, nauseates me. The graduation ceremony is for ALL GRADUATES, not just Christian graduates! Take the focus off your selfishness for a moment and be happy for the proud, exceptional class of 2011.
Sal,
Again … *Well Said.* I like the way you think.
#5. At the 2011 graduation ceremony and in the future, pupils and guests will enter the Great Auditorium through the doors located at the south, west and north sides of the building and no pupils or guests will be required to enter the Auditorium from the east side of the building where the cross is located.
I will DEFINITELY be approaching from the east and will be appreciating the building’s architecture from straight on, as the builder intended. This concession by the BOE is the one that grates me most. It’s like telling your guests they can only enter your house from the side door, they are not “front door” worthy. I encourage everyone to walk the extra 100 yards to approach from the ocean side!
I can believe this all because some person felt their belief was being violated. Now what about the rest of us that want the things that have been taken away, and that same women went in the graduation last year and was happy for her granddaughter. If she was that upset she should have left. Now I feel I’m being VIOLATED!!!!!
It makes me sick that “we” acquiesced to their demands. ACLU’s definition of compromise: Do it our way.
I am sick and tired of political correctness and people who are so sensitive that the rest of the world needs to adjust to their wishes, wants and desires. Hmmm … maybe I can sue for damages.
Pfffttt …