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BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTBS) — The ad returns. Members of the Bossier Parish School Board have reversed a controversial decision to remove a logo from the football field at Benton High School. This all ties into the debate surrounding the role of religion in schools.
The board met most of two hours behind closed doors on Tuesday.
Christ Fit Gym’s owner, Billy Weatherall, and the board’s legal team joined them.
Board members voted to put the Christ Fit Gym logo back on Benton High School’s football field and they’ll also fight a federal lawsuit alleging the school district violates the first amendment’s establishment clause by promoting Christianity on campus after failing to reach a settlement with the parents who sued.
School system attorney Jon Guice says they acknowledge previous policy violations, but the board adjusted its policy back in April.
“We feel as though the court will rule that the policy is enforceable and on the go forward basis, we’ll be in compliance,” Guice said.
When KTBS 3 News spoke to Americans United several weeks ago, their attorney said the Bossier policy on religion has changed, but school employees are still not complying and there are no consequences in play to ensure they will.
The plaintiffs say they want to make sure the policy is enforced.
The trial in the federal lawsuit is tentatively scheduled for early 2019.
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