ACLJ Announces Resolution of Civil Rights Case against St. Louis Schools.

Business Editors

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2003

The American Center for Law and Justice, a public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, announced today it has amicably resolved a civil rights lawsuit it filed last year against public school officials in St. Louis, Missouri after a parent who requested to observe a school assembly about tolerance for gay and lesbian students was asked to leave the event.

The ACLJ announced that school officials have agreed to revise their policy clarifying the right of parents to observe school-sponsored events. And, the ACLJ today asked the court to dismiss the suit bringing an end to the litigation.

"We are pleased that this case has now been resolved," said Francis J. Manion, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, which filed suit against school officials on behalf of a parent. "The revised policy adequately protects the rights of parents like our client to participate in the education of their children. Parents should be allowed to be informed concerning what is being taught in their children's schools. This policy insures that this will continue to occur."

The ACLJ filed suit in U.S. District Court in St. Louis one year ago this month against St. Louis school officials on behalf of Debra Loveless, parent of a student at Metro High School. The suit contended that in early October 2001, school officials announced that the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) would participate as a resource in two school-wide events at Metro High School during the month of October.

After school officials granted her request to have her daughter excused from the event because of her religious beliefs, Loveless wanted to attend to see for herself what was being taught at the assembly. School officials asked her to leave and she complied.

In the suit, Loveless charged that her exclusion from the event violated her constitutional rights of free speech, equal protection, and parental liberty. School officials denied that her exclusion from the assembly violated her constitutional rights.

In a settlement agreement signed by both parties, school officials have agreed to adopt a revised policy that clarifies that school officials will not exclude parents from events based solely on a parent's viewpoint regarding the content of the event or the fact that the parent's child had been excused from attending the event. At the same time, school officials retain the power to exclude parents or others who disrupt the educational process and for other legitimate reasons. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the school district denies any liability and will not pay damages or attorney's fees.

The ACLJ today filed a request with the court asking that the lawsuit be dismissed pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

The American Center for Law and Justice is an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law. The ACLJ is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA and the web site address is www.aclj.org.