Mar 9, 2012
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A Virginia school district said they would reverse a decision to remove a student from the National Honor Society just hours after the student filed a federal lawsuit accusing the district of religious discrimination.
The 17-year-old student had been placed on probationary status because she had completed her community service work at a local church. The NHS faculty advisor at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology told the student that her hours would not count because her work was in a church and was in violation of district policy.
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However, a spokesman for the school district told Fox News that the faculty adviser was mistaken.
“A mistake was made,” spokesman John Torre told Fox News. “It was an honest mistake. There was nothing sinister about it.”
Torre said the student had been placed on probationary status but will now be a member in good standing. She is also being credited with the service hours performed in her local church.
Torre said he was not sure if the district had issued an apology to the student or reprimanded the faculty advisor.
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“Everything is under review right now,” Torre said. “We want to make sure going forward how the policies are structured so there is no misinterpretation down the road.”
The school board’s faith-based service policy states that in order to be considered for credit, faith-based activities “must have a secular purpose…and may not include preparation or participation in the performance of religious services.”
That’s still a problem for Matt Sharp, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund who is representing the student.
“We applaud the school district for wanting to right this wrong,” Sharp told Fox News. “We are of course glad to work with them to change the unconstitutional policy.”
Sharp said the lawsuit has not been dropped. He still wants the policy changed – and he also wants to make sure the school district will undo damaged caused by his client’s NHS status.
“There were some scholarship deadlines that were missed,” he said. “She was unable to apply for those because of her probationary status.”
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Glad to see they reinstated her. I do think that since there is direct damage, loss of scholarship eligibility, the district should make monetary amends.
So much for the knee-jerk anti-God reaction. Someone heard a reference to the Creator in school and fell on their knees… pandering to the "Left".
So sad..
No, “A mistake was made,”? the mistake was that the school got called out and embarresed in the national media… The school's decision would have stood if the "lawsuit" had not been filed!
My husband commented to me that this was not the honest mistake the district claims it was. When someone makes an honest mistake, they correct it when it is first pointed out. If it had been an honest mistake it would not have taken the filing of a federal lawsuit to change the decision. In addition, the fact that it is written in the policy is still discriminatory, and supports the idea that I was not an honest mistake.
And there was a second shooter on the grassy knoll, and 9-11 was definately an inside job. Did you know Princess Diana was killed by the SAS?
Good for the 17 year old. Now her attorney NEEDs to go after the school for their unConstitutional policy…that, in order to be considered for credit, faith-based activities “must have a secular purpose…and may not include preparation or participation in the performance of religious services.” The word "SECULAR" is the part that the Left feeds on… taking GOD out of our everyday lives!
How does teaching young children about a person living inside a whale have any practical purpose for the community at large?
Steve Smith,
- You miss the point, Steve.
* You may not agree with it, but the constitution affords protection of our faith and cannot be solely the target for discrimination, as was the case here.
Paul Huber Hi Paul. My point was that if real community service — for the Christian and non-Christian community at large–was carried out then I agree she should be credited. By that I mean things like her Church helping the needy by providing food, cleaning up the community etc. etc. That to me, is community work. Her teaching Sunday school classes is essentially for the Christians only. And while I acknowledge that is very important to your faith, it is not important to others in the community. Would you support a Muslim or a Scientologist spreading their "word" to the community, trying to get people to join their religion and consider this meaningful community service? I wouldn't. But hey, if they were out there cleaning up or shovelling snow from old ladies back yards, then yes I would.
Steve Smith,
Hi Steve. Thank you for your comments.
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And while I acknowledge that is very important to your faith, it is not important to others in the community.
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Constitutionally, an entity may not make that distinction targeting one set of service that is community based; albeit through the church.
- The school is now recognizing this important legal fact.
Steve, the school or any entity cannot target a particular community service based on religion and say… nope. We don't value that as service.
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Would you support a Muslim or a Scientologist spreading their "word" to the community, trying to get people to join their religion and consider this meaningful community service?
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Yes. Based on your criteria… absolutely. Hopefully, they would be working with youth and trying to make a difference in the community like churches have been doing for over 200 years.
Paul Huber : "Constitutionally, an entity may not make that distinction targeting one set of service that is community based; albeit through the church." Paul, it was my understanding that the organization she was trying to join (you must forgive me, this story broke a few days ago and I am relying on my memory) was a private organization not affiliated or taking money from the government. If that is the case (and I might be wrong) then private organizations, I believe, can make discriminatory membership rules — you may not like them or agree with them but I don't think it's illegal. However, I agree with you entirely if it was a government organization.
Anyway, it's nice to meet someone on Fox who I can have a rational conversation with. Have a good one.
Did I miss the part that said she was teaching Sunday School?
We had a high school student that has this same problem. Her hours were done at two different basketball camps done at a church gym. No Biblical teaching was done.
Diane Pinson Hi Diane. If you check out Todd's column of last Thursday I think, it explains all the ins and outs of the case. Apparently, it's all up to the local districts and how they interpret the guidelines from head office. In some districts, your basketball coaching would be allowed, in others (like yours), it isn't. While I'm a stickler for rules and regulations, I think these rules/guidelines need better clarification.
It's more than past time to stop turning the other cheek.
I agree with Kelly Porter. This young lady lost scholarship opportunities; the school should be made to pay for its "mistake".
OUTSTANDING!
God 1
libs 0.
Scott
Yes, Scott, because your god is so concerned about "winning".
so you are really saying that God is only for the gop, and the rest of us are heathens?
Bill Forshey … Ummm who is ALWAYS suing Churches, Student and the schools over religion… Who has the groups.. Freedom FROM Religion,.. Who wants to stifle all religion, and who wants to Silence all forms of religion… Well only the Religions the differs from The Liberal teachings.. Yup the Liberal… God didn't choose … You did…
Bill Forshey what do you think? about liberalism as compared to God?
COngrats to Fox for airing this. I emailed the principal of the school after the story broke, he did respond with this…Rev. Willard,
Thank you for your email. I and the rest of our school's administration were not made aware of this issue until Thursday afternoon. The student's good standing in the NHS was reestablished shortly after we learned of this matter.
Sincerely,
Evan Glazer
The TJHSST chapter states: "The Challenger Chapter would like to encourage service to the wider community." However, it appears for several years that students received service hours for: "The TJ Alumni Association is seeking volunteers to help out at the Alumni Picnic and Class Reunions on Aug 1, 2009. Volunteers will receive NHS service hour credits as well as a shirt, free food and admission." How wide is that?
sounds like she wanted free credit for work at the church that she would have done anyway.
and what a joke to say she didn't apply for scholarships because of this.
Steve Smith, hi, wrong answer. Who is to say she did not help children from the community, second discrimination is discrimination. Any place out side of your house and off your property, doing work in the community is community service, secular or other. The way morals are in this here USA church is a good place to start, and with young children!