The Tennessean - ACLU Complaint Claims Sumner Schools Promote Religion

The Tennessean

GALLATIN A complaint made by American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee on behalf of three Sumner County families accuses the county school board of promoting Christianity in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

The parents of seven students who attend Beech High School, T.W. Hunter, Indian Lake Elementary and Madison Creek Elementary brought the complaint, alleging the school system has shown a pattern of endorsing religion since at least 2006.

The complaint cites several examples of the school system promoting Christianity, including the distribution of Bibles in at least two schools; a teacher who displayed a cross on a classroom wall; sectarian prayers over school loudspeakers and at school events; and holding graduation ceremonies for three high schools at Long Hollow Baptist Church.

At this point we are aware of the allegations, and we have advised the Board of Education to take all precautions necessary to make sure they are operating in a constitutional way, said Wesley H. Southerland, an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative, nonprofit law firm hired by the board April 19.

The ACLJ is not charging the school board to handle the complaint and potential litigation if the complaint should become a lawsuit.

The complaint seeks an injunction to stop the religious activities. It is not a lawsuit at this point, Southerland said on Monday.

The complaint names all 11 members of the school board along with Director of Schools Benny Bills, Beech High School Principal Frank Cardwell, T.W. Hunter Principal Ahmed White, Madison Creek Elementary Principal Robin Hood, and Indian Lake Elementary Principal Jewell McGhee. . . .

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