The following is a letter sent from State Representative James White to James Crow, the president of the Texas Association of School Boards. This letter from James White is in response to TASB giving bad advice to Kountze ISD. The superintendent of Kountze ISD banned all personally bought or personally made banners/signs/flyers at public football games if they include Bible Verses or other religious encouragements.
There will be a RALLY Oct 5th to Support Kountze Kids Faith @ Kountze, TX Home Football Game
STATE OF TEXAS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JAMES WHITE
DISTRICT 12
September 25, 2012
Texas Association of School Boards
Attn: James Crow
P.O. BOX 400
Austin, Texas 78767-0400
Dear Mr. Crow,
I am writing out of concern for the Texas Association of School Board's legal advice
to Kountze ISD to ban all student banners with Christian scriptural references.
Although I recognize the need for the school district to ensure that no student has a
religious belief imposed upon him or her, judicial precedent provides a respectful
and constitutional manner for all students in the state of Texas, including those in
Kountze ISD, to exercise their First Amendment religious liberties. While I certainly
recognize that we must ensure that any religious display is constitutional, Christian
scriptural banners are not disruptive to the educational environment at a Texas high
school football game. Hence it seems that the total prohibition of these banners is
unwarranted.
In 2007, the Texas Legislature amended Chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code to
direct Texas public school districts to develop local policies to protect and enhance
religious student free speech, not limit or prohibit it. I am confident that your legal
counsel will confer in the coming days with local school leadership and the legal
representation of the relevant students to come to a resolution respecting the
religious beliefs of all Texas students.
Respectfully,
James White
related articles:
Urgent: Support Kountze Kids Faith - Texas Students Fighting for Religious Freedom
Congressman Stockman and Rep. White Support Kountze Kids Faith - Liberty Institute & CLA Send Lawyers
Judge Says Kountze Students ALLOWED to Hold Religious Signs. Restraining Order by Judge Steve Thomas
Student Disciplined for Bible Verse on Face at West Hardin ISD TX Football Game
