GAINESVILLE—A lawsuit filed against the Hall County School System in December by the American Humanist Association has been settled without going to trial.
"We reached an agreement with what the school needs to do. They're going to train staff about the parameters of what the Establishment Clause requires, and there seems to be good faith coming from (them)," said David Niose, Legal Director of the AHA.
The talks took several months, with both sides trying to come to an agreement before the case went to court.
"We got the impression that they really want to do the right thing. It wasn't that hard to come to terms, actually," said Niose.
He said it's clear in the constitution that school staff should remove themselves from religious practice while they are on the job, including those who lead Christian clubs like the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) on campus.
"School staff is not supposed to participate in those exercises, and in the past, that was clearly a problem in Hall County. But we seem to have an understanding that that kind of activity is not allowed (anymore)," said Niose.
The school system, he said, has taken steps to educate employees on those parameters.
"We shouldn't be seeing that problem anymore," said Niose.
When asked further about the FCA, Niose said teachers or coaches who sponsor the club (overseeing activites) still should not participate in prayer with students, even if those students approach them with a prayer request.
"Not when they're on the job," said Niose. "The Equal Access Act requires that school staff involved in supervising groups like that should not be participating in the religious activity."
Settlement/dismissal response from Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield
