What to do if I’m a public school teacher and my principal makes us pray at faculty meetings about three times a year?
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What to do if I’m a public school teacher and my principal makes us pray at faculty meetings about three times a year?
A few times a year our principal serves food at our mandatory faculty meetings. Before anyone can eat, he has everyone hold hands while he prays over all of us. When I asked about this he confronted me and attempted to explain that he wasn’t trying to convert me, he just wanted to “bless” me. He has done this for the enitre four years I have been at this school. What should I do?
Asked on April 19, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Alabama
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
What your principal is doing appears to be against the law and a violation of the constitution (First Amendment; separation of church and state). Probably the best way to address it if you are offended or concerned is to either speak with higher-ups in the administration (e.g. your superintendent or an assistant superintendent), who may be unaware of this behavior; or if that is unavailing, or you suffer any retaliation, to speak with an attorney about legal action. One possibility is to contact the ACLU--their purpose is to protect civil and constitutional rights.
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