1-11-12, COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) - A northeast Nebraska school district is trying to preserve prayer at its graduation ceremonies despite the ACLU's concerns.The Lakeview school board voted Monday to revise the terms of its facilities use policy as part of an effort to protect itself from a potential lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska.
The ACLU sent a letter to the school district in November complaining the prayers in the ceremonies violate student's First Amendment religious rights.
The district's graduation ceremonies have been officially parent-run since a 2001 complaint about the prayers.
The moves the board made this week are designed to further separate the
district from its own graduation ceremony, so the district won't be sued for forcing students to attend a religious ceremony.
