A Victory for Teachers

This week, we were pleased to obtain a victory in a case regarding equal access to public school facilities.  In Patricia Munnikhuysen v. North Tonawanda City School District, we represented Patricia Munnikhuysen, a public school teacher who wanted to host a regular Bible study for the faculty of the North Tonawanda City School District (NTCSD).  In the past year, she had held a Bible study for teachers, but was denied continued access when she reapplied for this school year based on the NTCSDs written policy.  The written policy cited N.Y. Education Law Section 414, which prohibited religious services or religious instruction.

Ms. Munnikhuysen sought information in an effort to resolve the matter on her own, but was unable to do so.  Thus, she asked us to intervene on her behalf in light of the fact that numerous other groups had sought and received access to NTCSD facilities, including employees, employee groups, or outside individuals and organizations.  For example, NTCSD facilities had been accessed for community education, including but not limited to computer classes, dancing classes, driving programs, food and craft classes, money and finance classes, fitness and wellness classes, and other miscellaneous classes of interest to the general community.

We sent a demand letter on her behalf in December; and in response to our demand letter, the NTCSDs attorney requested additional information about the Bible study. We provided sufficient information to assure the School District that Ms. Munnikhuysens study could not be excluded.  In January, the NTCSDs counsel assured us that we would be receiving a favorable response. Once NTCSDs attorney received the School Boards official approval in late February, he approved in writing Ms. Munnikhuysens access for her Bible study on the same terms and conditions that she had previously exercised.

We are pleased that the Bible study will be continued and that we were able to be instrumental in the resolution of this case, obtaining another victory for equal access in the public schools.