Religious Groups Get School Use

Fri., March 24, 1995

Associated Press

Religious student groups may use public school facilities as long as it is clear the district doesn’t endorse the views of such organizations, Attorney General Christine Gregoire says in a formal opinion released Thursday.

The opinion concedes the state constitution prohibits the use of public funds and public property to support religious activity. Public schools also are required to be free of sectarian control and influence.

Gregoire’s opinion says those provisions are not violated if voluntarily organized student religious organizations are given the same access to school district property given other student organization whose purpose is not religious.

The opinion cautions school districts, however, that administrators must maintain a neutral position regarding the views of voluntarily organized student religious groups.

“School districts may extend ‘recognition’ to student groups organized to engage in religious activity if the ‘recognition’ merely opens access to a limited public forum on the same basis that other groups organized for other purposes have access,” the opinion stated.<

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.