School Reverses Course, Approves Bible Club After Controversy
Officials at Waterville Jr./Sr. High School in New York have reversed their earlier decision to deny approval for a Bible club after legal pressure and the threat of a lawsuit. The school had initially rejected the club because of its religious nature, while allowing other student groups like the Gay-Straight Alliance. The district now plans to formally recognize the Bible club at an upcoming meeting on December 10, 2024.
Superintendent Jennifer Spring explained that the rejection in January 2024 was based on incorrect information. After students began meeting informally in September, the district decided to reassess the situation and resolve the issue. The Bible club will now be officially established, in line with the district’s policies that promote student engagement through a variety of extracurricular activities.
The decision followed legal action from the First Liberty Institute, a conservative Christian law group, which sent a demand letter on behalf of Elijah Nelson, an eighth-grade student who had followed all necessary steps to establish the club. The attorney for Nelson argued that the school’s refusal violated both the Equal Access Act and constitutional rights, as the student had met all the requirements to form a club.
Initially, the school had suggested that the Bible club could only meet informally or as an outside organization. The district’s justification for rejecting the club was based on advice that recognizing a religious group could be seen as endorsing religion. However, this legal stance was later determined to be incorrect by Nelson’s attorney.
The reversal of the decision highlights the importance of protecting students’ rights to form religious clubs under federal law. It also reflects the need for schools to balance the equal treatment of student organizations while ensuring compliance with constitutional protections related to freedom of religion and speech.