allowed to meet again.
Attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit against
the Half Hollow Hills Central School District in February 2010 on behalf of the
club’s student leader, who said the organization was disbanded without her
knowledge.
Earlier this week, the Christian legal team decided to drop
the suit after reaching a settlement with the school district, which has agreed
to officially recognize the club next school year.
Lawyers argued the club was being singled out because it was
religious in nature while other organizations like the Gay-Straight Alliance
and Amnesty International were allowed to continue.
“Christian student groups in public schools shouldn’t be
discriminated against,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman. “Shutting down a
religious student club while letting the vast majority of the others remain is
unconstitutional.”
School officials initially blamed the decision on budget
cutbacks and a lack of student interest. Just over 50 students were members of
the club in 2009.
Many of the students were instrumental in getting the club
reinstated. Dozens had signed a petition in favor of the student-run
organization.
