Board expected to OK revised graduation prayer policy

Friday, March 28, 2003 | 9:07 a.m.

The Clark County School Board is expected to give final approval April 10 to a new regulation to ban organized prayer at graduation ceremonies but at the same time allow individual speakers to express themselves freely.

The regulation change raised hackles among parents and students who saw the move as one intended to limit religious expression. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada has filed a suit against the Clark County School District claiming the regulation change doesn't go far enough to protect students who do not wish to be subjected to prayer at school-sponsored events such as graduation.

School District administrators recommended the change to bring existing regulations in line with recent federal and Supreme Court rulings, as well as new requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act.

The first version of the regulation, an outright ban of graduation invocations and benedictions, was rejected last month by the board on a 3-2 vote with two trustees absent. By refusing to adopt the regulation, the district's $70 million in federal funds were risk, legal advisers told the trustees. The board approved a notice of intent for the regulation change at its March 13 meeting, with only Larry Mason in opposition. The second vote would have taken place last night except state law requires a minimum of 15 days between a notice of intent and a final vote, said William Hoffman, senior attorney for the School District.

Under the new policy, prayer at graduation could be offered by individual speakers if the School District drops its policy of reviewing all speakers' comments ahead of time. But Superintendent Carlos Garcia has said administrators will continue checking speeches for inappropriate content, including religious references.