September 4, 2008
Christmas carols — and Hanukka hymns and Ramadan prayers — are still not permitted in the South Orange-Maplewood School District.
On Aug. 29, U.S. District Court Judge William H. Walls dismissed a case against the school district claiming its holiday concert policy constituted hostility toward religion.
It was the second time Walls dismissed the case, known as Stratechuk vs. Board of Education, South Orange-Maplewood School District.
His original decision in support of the district, issued in September 2005, was vacated by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals later that month and sent back for reargument.
Plaintiff Michael Stratechuk had two children in the school system in 2004 when it barred the singing or playing of religious music at December holiday concerts. Stratechuk argued that the policy violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Residents, reacting to the ruling in a posting on the town’s on-line discussion board, were unanimously in favor of the ruling. Comments ranged from, “Rockin’ good news!” to “Good. Plaintiff should end the litigation and not appeal. Any further action should involve only members of the community and the BOE, not the courts.”
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