GREENWOOD – A central Indiana high school that was the subject of a lawsuit over a graduation prayer says it is breaking with tradition and will not screen speeches by speakers at its May 28 commencement.
In the past, Greenwood High School’s principal has required student speakers to submit their speeches in advance to review the content, grammar and length. Most schools in the nation follow similar practices.
But Greenwood is lifting the practice this year, and school officials say speakers will not be stopped even if they use profane language or deliver politically charged speeches.
School officials would not comment on the reason for the change.
“It’s the First Amendment, freedom of speech,” Superintendent David Edds said.
School board president Joe Farley said in a statement that the board expects the students to be “responsible and respectful of others” while giving their speeches. The speeches typically last three to four minutes each.
The decision comes after a federal judge ruled in favor of valedictorian Eric Workman, who filed a lawsuit against the district saying a school-sanctioned prayer at graduation and a student poll leading to it were unconstitutional. A majority of students voted in favor of a prayer.
Workman is one of the commencement speakers.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker on April 30 issued a preliminary injunction against the school, saying the process in which students voted to have the prayer violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
The school did not appeal.
Barker’s ruling addresses only this year’s ceremony, and school officials have not discussed how to handle prayer at future school events.
Greenwood high school won’t screen graduation speeches
GREENWOOD – A central Indiana high school that was the subject of a lawsuit over a graduation prayer says it is breaking with tradition and will not screen speeches by speakers at its May 28 commencement.
In the past, Greenwood High School’s principal has required student speakers to submit their speeches in advance to review the content, grammar and length. Most schools in the nation follow similar practices.
But Greenwood is lifting the practice this year, and school officials say speakers will not be stopped even if they use profane language or deliver politically charged speeches.
School officials would not comment on the reason for the change.
“It’s the First Amendment, freedom of speech,” Superintendent David Edds said.
School board president Joe Farley said in a statement that the board expects the students to be “responsible and respectful of others” while giving their speeches. The speeches typically last three to four minutes each.
The decision comes after a federal judge ruled in favor of valedictorian Eric Workman, who filed a lawsuit against the district saying a school-sanctioned prayer at graduation and a student poll leading to it were unconstitutional. A majority of students voted in favor of a prayer.
Workman is one of the commencement speakers.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker on April 30 issued a preliminary injunction against the school, saying the process in which students voted to have the prayer violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
The school did not appeal.
Barker’s ruling addresses only this year’s ceremony, and school officials have not discussed how to handle prayer at future school events.
