Teacher Can Teach Good News Clubs

August  26, 2003

Mathew D. Staver

FEDERAL COURT DENIES SCHOOL DISTRICT'S REQUEST TO PREVENT TEACHER FROM MEETING WITH GOOD NEWS CLUB ON CAMPUS 

SIOUX FALLS, SD - A Sioux Falls federal court has denied a request from the Sioux Falls School District to block teacher Barbra Wigg from participating in an after-school Good News Club which meets on campus. The teacher, Barbara Wigg, is represented by Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, a civil liberties public interest law firm in Orlando, Florida, along with attorneys Joel Oster and Rena Lindevaldsen, also of Liberty Counsel.

On July 3, 2003, just days before trial, the federal court ruled in favor of Mrs. Wigg by agreeing that she has a constitutional right to meet after school on district facilities with a Christian club designed for elementary-age students. The District filed an appeal of the case and then asked the federal court to stay its ruling, arguing that the District would be harmed by allowing Mrs. Wigg to meet with the group. The District allows teachers to meet after school with other private, secular groups, but denied Mrs. Wigg solely because the Good News Club is religious. The federal court denied the District's request to stay its order, thus paving the way for Mrs. Wigg to begin meeting with the Christian club as soon as the new school year begins.

According to Staver, "I am pleased with the court's decision that allows Barbra Wigg, a school teacher, to meeting with the Good News Club after school on District facilities. This means Mrs. Wigg has the same right to meet with the Christian club as those who meet with secular clubs. I am especially pleased this ruling came in time for the new school year."

FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

Liberty Counsel is supporting passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment, which recognizes that marriage is a union of one man and one woman. Join with millions of Americans in signing the Federal Marriage Amendment petition which we will send to Congress. 

Passing an amendment in Congress requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and in the Senate, and then ratification by three-fourths of the states. 

You can also click here and enter your zip code in the box under "Find Federal Officials" to find your own senator or representative and urge them to support of the Federal Marriage Amendment.

If your browser does not link to the petition automatically, then copy and paste the following link into your browser's address bar:
http://www.lc.org/Petitions/fedmarriage/fma_petition_form.htm  then fill out the petition, print it and mail to Liberty Counsel, PO Box 540774, Orlando, FL 2854.

SCRIPTURES IN SCHOOLS WEEK

This week, Christian students in public schools across America are encouraged to bring their Bibles to school. This event complements other national student-centered events in September such as "See You At The Pole." Students have a Constitutional right to read their Bibles during non-instructional time, discuss scripture with other students and share their faith. For more information, call our office at 407-875-2100 and ask for our free brochure "Students' Rights in Public School."

Mathew D. Staver, Esq.
Liberty Counsel
http://www.lc.org.

An Ally of the Alliance Defense Fund