Schools

District Officials Reverse Decision to Deny High School Christian Club

School officials who denied a high school junior's request for a Christian club on campus change course after receiving an attorney's letter saying they violated federal law.

School officials who recently denied a Ward Melville high school junior’s request to form a Christian club have reversed that decision shortly after receiving a letter stating the district was violating federal law.

High school student John Raney addressed the board last Wednesday regarding the high school’s decision rejecting his request for the club. Reading from a statement, Raney said that he twice proposed to high school assistant principal Michael Owen and was twice denied a proposal to start a Christian club on campus. According to Raney, he was told by Owen that his request was denied due to the club’s religious nature.

Ward Melville high school principal Alan Baum responded to Raney at the meeting and said the denial was based on limited interest.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The decision was made by a committee,” said Baum. “It had nothing to do, with all due respect to your faith, it had nothing to do with religion. Purely had to do with dollars and sense and student interest. We have a limited budget to fund student co-curricular programs. Your proposal was not the only proposal that did not get the go ahead this year. There were a number of clubs that did not get the go ahead… we try to service the greatest number of students and the committee thought this one did not rise to that level.”

One week later the district reversed that decision and decided to allow the club after hearing from the Liberty Institute and legal firm McDermott Will & Emory LLP, who sent a demand letter to school administrators at Ward Melville High School in defense of the student's right to form a Christian Club on campus.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Students of faith in New York public schools have the same freedom to form a religious club as other students who want to form a fishing club or chess club," said Liberty Institute Jeremy Dys.  "In this case, Ward Melville High School is violating federal law by rejecting this club because it is religious."

Distirct officials released a statement that same day they received the letter saying that, “we have determined that the reason for the initial rejection of the proposal was apparently inaccurately conveyed. This is regrettable, and we apologize to John for his experience. “

According to the statement, the district is ”approving the formation of John's club for the balance of the year effective immediately, pending the ability to find a club advisor, a requirement that all student clubs must adhere to. As it is required of all student clubs, John will have to reapply if he would like to continue the club in the 2014-15 school year.”

Raney could not be reached for comment at the this story was posted.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here