Center Secures Teacher Participation in "See You at the Pole"

On November 20, the Carlisle Area School District (PA) rescinded an earlier decision to forbid teachers from being present at "See You at the Pole" activities. The Center assisted teachers adversely affected by the previous decision.

During the week of September 22, district officials declared that teachers could not be present at this year's SYATP event. An affected teacher contacted the CLS Center, and Litigation Counsel Tim Tracey communicated with the school district on her behalf. As a result of his efforts, the teacher was permitted to participate in this year's event, but the restrictive policy remained in place.

Tim subsequently made a presentation at a school board meeting and wrote a demand letter to the school district on behalf of the teachers whose religious freedom would be affected by the policy. The school board adopted a new policy allowing teachers to participate as long as they issue a verbal disclaimer, indicating that their presence is in their individual capacities. Media coverage is here, here and here.

Center attorneys were assisted by the law firm of Boyle, Neblett & Wenger.