Officials insist it’s only allowed ‘when students are not present’
By Bob Unruh
A school district in Texas is being taken to court because of its decision to ban an employee from praying.
It is the American Center for Law and Justice that has gone to federal court in Houston on behalf of Staci Barber, an employee of the Katy Independent School District.
Defendants are the district and Bryan Rounds, principal of Cardiff junior high.
The federal court filing explains that the district “violated, and continues to violate, her rights to religious expression by prohibiting her from praying when students might be present, even if that prayer occurs off the clock.”
The ACLJ explained this case involves a teacher who wanted to engage in prayer outside the school building before the school day begins.”Every year millions of people gather at school flag poles to pray before the school day begins. The ACLJ is very proud to stand in support of See You At The Pole, a prayer rally for students and participating adults to lift up their schools in prayer. Our client has prayed at the pole every year on behalf of her students,” the legal team explained.