Bossier schools to settle federal religion lawsuit

The Bossier Parish School District and a group of parents who had sued the district have reached an agreement to end the nearly yearlong federal lawsuit alleging the parish unconstitutionally promoted Christianity in schools.

In court documents filed Jan. 22, both sides signed off on a consent decree that would end the lawsuit if approved by a judge. 

"We are currently awaiting the Court’s action on the documents at this time, but Bossier Schools feels confident the revisions offered resolve most of the issues presented in the lawsuit and will be found agreeable by the Court," said Sonja Bailes, spokeswoman for Bossier Schools."

Both sides claimed victory in news releases issued Tuesday about the settlement.

Per the school district, the agreement:

• Protects the right of students to pray at school and at school events.
• Allows students to speak at school events.
• Does not penalize employees who bow their heads out of respect for such prayers when offered. Prayers must not be disruptive or occur during class time.
• Allows teachers of both substantive areas and the arts to teach about religion in an objective manner.
• Allows student clubs of all kinds, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, to continue to organize, meet and be active on campus.
• Allows students to express their own ideas verbally and to distribute literature.
• Allows employees to wear items of jewelry that may include symbols associated with religion.

The school district's religious policy was slightly revised as part of the proposed agreement, Bailes said in the news release.

"The settlement allows for the closure of this case without the loss of any student rights, which is of utmost importance to the Board,” Bossier Schools Superintendent Scott Smith said in a statement released by the district. “We are pleased to be able to resolve this matter without impinging upon our students’ rights, which we see as a victory for all of Bossier Parish.” 

The school district did agree to various conditions, including:

• The creation of a monitoring committee to review and resolve potential violations or disputes involving religious freedom.
• An agreement from the board to minimize the need to hold school events in religious venues.

The monitoring committee, officially called the Bossier Parish Religious Monitoring Committee, will consist of four members — two appointed by the lawyers representing the parents and the other two by Smith, the parish superintendent. 

The consent decree is set to expire Aug. 1, 2031, according to the proposed order.

The lawsuit was first filed on behalf of several parents by the religious liberty watchdog group Americans United for Separation of Church and State in February 2018. The lawsuit alleged the district was unconstitutionally promoting Christianity.

The two sides came close to an agreement last summer, but talks fell apart as the school district changed course and said it would continue to fight the lawsuit.

“As a result of our lawsuit, there is now a substantial mechanism in place for the next 12 years to oversee and ensure that Bossier Parish Schools comply with the law and protect the religious-freedom rights of all students and their families,” said Richard B. Katskee, legal director of Americans United of the settlement, in a news release.