School Board Hears Comment On Religious Banner Ban

By: Associated Press Email

Updated: Wed 9:10 AM, Feb 27, 2013

KOUNTZE, Texas - - A southeast Texas school board listened to public comments on its decision to bar high school cheerleaders from displaying religious messages on banners at sporting events.

The Kountze Independent School District board listened to comments for about 1½ hours Tuesday night. KFDM-TV of Beaumont reports 16 spoke for lifting the ban while only one spoke against repeal.

The board took no action and scheduled none but said it would take written comments for another 10 days.

The district implemented the ban last year after a complaint by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is dedicated to the church-state separation. Cheerleaders and the state attorney general contend that the ban violates the students' free speech rights, and a judge blocked the ban pending resolution of a foundation lawsuit.

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