|
By Kent Larsen
Classroom Lease to LDS Church on Hold
PHOENIX, ARIZONA -- A plan to lease a high school classroom to The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on hold amid delays at
the county attorney's office and criticism from civil rights groups,
leading some 200 LDS students at Higly High School to be bussed to a
nearby charter school for seminary. The plan to lease a classroom in
an unoccupied building on the high school's campus was approved by
the Higley school board on August 21st, contingent on the approval of
the Maricopa County Attorney's office.
The plan arose as Church officials tried to find a place for students
to meet for seminary, since an LDS seminary building now under
construction across the street from the high school wasn't completed
for the beginning of the school year. But the board thought the plan,
which called for the Church to lease the classroom for $700 a month,
might lead to legal challenges, and made it contingent on the city
attorney's approval. School District Superintendant Larry Likes
admitted that the lease could cause trouble, "You run that risk. The
group you refuse to rent facilities to can take you to
court."
After the decision was announced the American Civil Liberties Union
also questioned the plan. "I am not sure it is constitutionally
permissible even when paying rent to have this occurring during
regular school hours," said ACLU Director Eleanor Eisenberg.
But school board member Ed Moore disagreed, saying he believes the
deal is legal and constitutional because other organizations are
welcome to lease the classrooms also, "I think other organizations
who want to do this should come forward," Moore said. "We are not
showing any favoritism."
When classes started this past Monday, the city attorney hadn't yet
ruled on the plan, leaving the LDS Church to buss the 200 LDS
students to a nearby charter school, Eagle Aeries Charter School, for
seminary. Superintendent Likes says that the Church will have to live
with the situation for now, "This is where we are and will continue
to be until the county attorney rules on this issue."
Source:
Mormon kids taking religion at charter school
(Phoenix) AZ Republic 28Aug01
By Peter Ortiz: Arizona Republic
Higley board agrees to lease campus classroom to Mormons
(Phoenix) AZ Republic 23Aug01 D1
By Peter Ortiz: The Arizona Republic
|
