The student’s representative attorney, C. Kevin Marshall of Jones Day, stressed how the school’s original refusal violated Elijah’s Constitutional rights and the federal Equal Access Act. He also confirmed that Elijah had met all the legal requirements for launching the club. These are the following: a student must define the proposed club’s assignment and activities, how often it will meet, and any fundraisers associated with it; a student must provide a list of pupils’ signatures interested in the club, and a student must have a meeting with the principal to review the plan. 

According to attorney Marshall: “Elijah did all of this. He submitted a proposal to the School on January 4 of this year. … In it, he explained that the Bible club would study the world’s most widely published book to promote character development, mental health, critical thinking, group collaboration, and reading comprehension. He also explained that the club would meet weekly for Bible study, either before school or during the lunch hour. He specified that the club would be open to any student with interest. And he proposed that local ministers might be invited to assist students, just as other clubs, like the School’s Gay Straight Alliance, host outside speakers. 

In January and October exchanges with Elijah’s father, Daniel, Assistant Principal Lindsay Owens explained that the School would not officially recognize the Bible club because lawyers for the district had advised her that recognizing a religious club would unconstitutionally ‘endorse’ religion.

Ms. Owens gave Elijah two alternatives: The club could meet informally during lunch while a staff member supervised the students without participating in the group’s activities, or the club could apply as an outside organization to use the School’s facilities after hours. But because the District believed it ‘cannot have a school-sponsored club associated with a religion,’ the School would not ‘officially’ recognize, ‘fund,’ or ‘sponsor []’ the Bible club as it would any other club.

The advice Ms Owens apparently received was flawed, and the School’s conclusion was legally incorrect. Rather than honouring its students’ rights in a way that is consistent with federal law and the U.S. Constitution, as Ms. Owens sought to do, the School actually violated those rights. It may not lawfully deny official recognition to a student club simply for being ‘associated with a religion.”

A letter submitted to the school on the 2nd of December reads: “Given the delay already, and with the Christmas season approaching, if we do not hear from you by December 11, we will assume you refuse to reconsider your denials and will proceed as our client directs, which might include litigation and the attorney’s fees that a winning claim earns under any of the legal grounds I have explained.”

As a result, superintendent Jennifer Spring released a statement confirming the school’s decision to allow the Bible club: “At Waterville Central School District, we are committed to fostering an environment that values equity, diversity, and meaningful student engagement. We strive to provide all students with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect through various activities, including student-run clubs. In January 2024, inaccurate information was shared with a student regarding the ability to officially establish a Bible Study Club and alternative options were proposed to the group. There was renewed interest to start the club in September 2024, and students began meeting weekly in the library, which they have been doing since then.”

Source: https://www.christianpost.com