Date: Fri Aug 27 13:15:41 1999 From: zoomama@SWLINK.NET (Zoo Mama) Subject: School/State/Church To: LIBERTARIANS@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Reply-To: LIBERTARIANS@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU (Libertarian Students at the University of Arizona)
ANOTHER CHURCH AND STATE ISSUE
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit against a suburban Cincinnati school district, challenging the policy of closing schools on Jewish high holy days. ACLU lawyer Stephen Felson says the suit argues tha canceling classes on Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Christmas and Good Friday is a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state. It was filed on behalf of parents who complained that, while schools are closed for Jewish holidays, they are open on Hindu and Muslim holidays. School board members say they decided to close down on Jewish holidays because many teachers and about 15 percent of students are absent on those days. Under Ohio law, the board can decide which days to close schools, as long as there are 178 school days each year.