Enfield's Board of Education says it will decide whether it will ask for an appeal to a judge's decision barring the town's two high schools from holding graduation ceremonies at a Bloomfield church.
Federal Court Judge Janet Hall issued a ruling on Monday prohibiting the public school ceremony from happening at a religious venue.
Two Enfield high school students and their parents wanted to prevent the school from holding graduation in the church and the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State brought the suit, saying using the church for graduations would be unconstitutional.
“We acknowledge the profound belief of adherents to many faiths that there must be a place in the student’s life for precepts of a morality higher even than the law we today enforce,” the judge wrote. “While agreeing with that principle, it is the conclusion of this court that that “place” is not graduation night at First Cathedral for Enfield High School or Enrico Fermi High School.”
So, graduation happens in a few weeks, but it cannot happen at the cathedral. The graduations might now happen in the gymnasiums at both high schools.
"We are pleased that the court has found that holding a public high school graduation ceremony in an overtly religious setting is inappropriate when comparable secular facilities are available," Andrew Schneider, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said in a statement.
"It had unlimited seating comfort, convenience, security, safety. It was truly the best venue for the best price and that's what it was based upon," Greg Stokes, chairman of Enfield’s board of education.
Andrew Silva, the valedictorian, is one of several disappointed students.
"Very disappointed and I know that a lot of seniors are also disappointed," he said.
Chelsea Wawrzenski, a senior, said some students will avoid graduation all together.
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"A lot of students have decided it's not even worth it if it's' here, so they think boycotting is best for them and I am very highly considering it," she said.
The district began holding graduation ceremonies for its two high schools at First Cathedral in 2007 when the athletic fields at Fermi High were too torn up for the ceremony. Religious objects were either removed or covered.
The Board of Education will hold a vote at a Thursday meeting to decide if they will ask the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear an expedited appeal before graduation day.
