Board Tackles Prayer Issue

Sat., Jan. 8, 2000

By Marny Lombard marnyl@spokesman.com (509) 927-2166

The East Valley School Board is expected to take on the controversy surrounding the prayer group First Priority at its Tuesday meeting.

The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at East Valley Middle School. A vote on the matter is likely.

The issue is actually over a request to change the policy on noncurricular student groups.

Under federal law, if the board allows noncurricular groups to meet at lunch, then all student-led groups must be granted the same privilege.

Students, parents and church leaders involved with the nondenominational group First Priority have asked the board to make this change.

Many of those in favor of the change have attended the past three board meetings.

At this meeting, East Valley residents who support the policy as is are expected to address the board, said Superintendent Les Portner.

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