Embattled School Board in CA Votes to Limit Role of Religion in Meetings

Written by Don Byrd

The board of the Chino Valley Unified School District in California has been embroiled in a 2-year lawsuit over its use of religion in board meetings. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is challenging the board’s practice of opening meetings with invocations, as well as members’ use of Bible readings and other promotions of Christianity.

The suit alleges meetings frequently include multiple references to Jesus and Christianity in the courts of the board’s business. Now, the board has voted to curtail the role religion has played in its official meetings.

The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports:

“As the elected legislative body of the Chino Valley Unified School District, the board of education recognizes that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees each person’s individual right to free exercise of religion or non-religion, and prevents the government and other public officials from establishing a religion or non-religion,” the new policy begins.

The policy makes explicit when board members can and cannot express their faith during meetings.

“During the public portion of the board meeting, board members may discuss religion or religious perspectives to the extent that they are germane to agenda items or public comments,” the policy reads. However, “When acting in their official capacities and when speaking on behalf of the district, board members shall not proselytize, and shall be neutral toward religion and/or non-religion.”

Courts rightly scrutinize the use of religion in school board meetings more closely than meetings of other government bodies like legislatures or city commissions, in part because students are often in attendance and have business before the board. Students should not feel like the government body overseeing their public education enforces its role by promoting a particular religious perspective, or with disfavor toward other religious views.

Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled the board must end its practice of prayer and Scripture recitation during meetings. The Chino board is appealing that decision. Stay tuned.