Enfield School Board Votes Not to Appeal Judge’s Ruling Prohibiting Graduation Ceremonies in Church

“The preliminary injunction will not be appealed, but the case will continue.” - Vincent McCarthy, Sr. Attorney American Center for Law and Justice

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2010— Last night the Enfield School Board voted 5-4 not to appeal a preliminary injunction issued by the U.S. District Court of Connecticut in the case of Does v. Enfield.  The preliminary injunction prohibited two Enfield School District high schools from holding their graduation ceremonies in a local church this year. 

While the school board decided not to appeal the preliminary injunction affecting the graduation venue for this year, the case will continue to proceed on the attempt by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State to prohibit all graduations at First Cathedral or any other church in the future.  The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which specializes in constitutional law, is representing the school district in the legal proceedings.      

"The preliminary injunction will not be appealed, but the case will continue," said ACLJ Sr. Attorney Vincent McCarthy.  "The Enfield School Board simply did not want to appeal the Judge's ruling because they felt it would be too much work to prepare two facilities for graduation.  They also wanted students to have certainty about the location of their commencement."

The preliminary injunction issued on Monday came despite the fact that the Enfield School District had agreed to cover many of the religious symbols in First Cathedral, the proposed site of the graduation ceremonies.  The two Enfield high schools now plan to have their 2010 graduation ceremonies at their respective school gyms, which provide significantly less seating and no air conditioning.  Thursday night's school board decision disappointed students and parents who attended the meeting.

"We believe we had a strong case for an appeal," said McCarthy.  "Constitutional law in this area is clear.  Holding a secular event at a religious facility does not constitute an endorsement of or entanglement with religion." 

Five school districts in Connecticut - including the Enfield School District - had plans to hold graduation ceremonies at First Cathedral in 2010.  However, after the districts received letters from the ACLU threatening legal action, all but Enfield changed their plans. 

Enfield School District's decision to hold graduation at First Cathedral was primarily based on financial and facilities considerations, as the district had set aside a budget of $32,000 for graduations in 2010.  Even though other venues were explored, each could not meet the low cost and high facility standard offered by First Cathedral.  

The amenities offered by the church include ample seating and parking, advanced audio visual capabilities, and general comfort for graduates and their families.  Additionally, Student Board of Education representatives from both Enfield and Fermi High School stated that, after polling their fellow classmates, the vast majority wanted graduation to be held at the church and signed petitions in support of the venue.  

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org. 

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