The Happy Valley School District is a secondary school that serves students from grades 9 to 12. With 1200 students currently enrolled and in the school, Happy Valley is a mid-sized district school that has dedicated staff that are willing to help the school maintain its accreditation status. Notably, the school appreciates diversity has several religious groups that reflect on this. For the past few days, the school has had problems because some students want to create a Christian Club something that the principal has refused because it would lead to unfair favoritism of the Christian religion in the school. The students have appealed the principal’s decision to have a Christian Club to be formed. In the end, the decision lies with the district leader where the appeal has been lodged .
Problem
The problem at High Valley School District lies with different stakeholders who are at crossroads as each side maintains a tough position in the supporting and opposition of the proposal to have the Christian religion form a Christian Club.
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Information
High Valley School serves 9-12 grade students. Admittedly, recent calls by some students to form a Christian club have led to considerable tensions after the school’s principal refused their proposal. The students are appealing the decision in line with the Equal Access Act by Congress in 1984 which prohibits public schools that receive federal assistance and have to maintain a “limited open forum” from denying “equal access” to groups of “religious, political, and philosophical” natures (ACLU, n.d). On the other hand, some of the members of the faculty are claiming that allowing for the formation of a Christian Club would be favoring Christianity over other religions in the school. The key to this case is that both sides have significant supporters who contribute significantly to the school and any decision has to be carefully thought through .
Legal Principles
The Equal Access Act 1984 was formulated with the purposes of shedding light on the issue of formation of student extracurricular clubs in federally funded secondary schools. The Equal Access Act of 1984 attests that students have to be allowed equal access to form extracurricular student clubs (ACLU, n.d). The statutory laws of the state of Missouri only talk about extracurricular activities about the development of consequences that students found taking alcohol and other illegal substances on the school property or while representing the school will incur (Department of Education, 2018). An almost similar case was The Good News Club v. Milford Central Schools, 99-2036 which occurred in the Supreme Court in 2001 ( Gearan , n.d). In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that not allowing the Good News Club to conduct their meetings in the school was unconstitutional discrimination ( Gearan , n.d). In the end, the legal principles surrounding the issue of forming religious clubs seems to be already decided , that students should be allowed equal chances to form even religious clubs as part of their extracurricular activities.
Ethical Issues
Notably, it is vital to look into the ethical issues surrounding the dilemma in Happy Valley District School. If anything, providing an ethical perspective to the case is central to ensuring that everything is brought to light and that any solutions made are fair. By granting only the Christian students a chance to form a club, this would be unfair to other religions. In the same way, not allowing them would be unfair to them as students. On another hand, voluntary participation is essential in this case. It is to be considered that none of the students advocating for the formation of a Christian Club has been coerced to do so. Another ethical perspective is regarding the different stakeholders in the case. Should the principal or I as the district leader decide the case by what financial contributions or influence the proposers or opposers have? An example is the principal’s spouse who is a leader in the local Jewish Synagogue and the Board President who expects that I will support the formation of the Christian Club.
Other Related Issues
One major issue related to this concept is diversity. In any case, every secondary school and other social settings must appreciate diversity whether in sexual orientation, gender, or notably, religion. Also, fairness and social justice must be ensured . Considering that the US is guided by a recognition of both the majority and the minority, it is essential to provide that the conclusion does not lead to unfair treatment of either party.
Solution
Christians are the majority religion at Happy Valley. The Equal Access Act of 1984 provides that students are free to form extracurricular clubs in federally funded secondary schools (ACLU, n.d). It is in this regard that I will allow the Christian students to create a Christian Club. Similarly, it is essential that I point out about equality and diversity in the school. The case reveals that a win on either side would be detrimental as tough and crucial stakeholders in the school have maintained a hard position on their stances. This fact provides the need for me as the decision maker of the appealed ruling to ensure that risks are reduced and that the school continues with its activities seamlessly. In line with the case that faced the Supreme Court, I would argue that the formation of a Christian Club is only allowing the Christian students fair play as stated in the Equal Access Act 1984. I would conclude by saying that any other religions in the school have the right to form their clubs. In the end, the decision will have maintained the neutrality of the proposing and opposing sides whole upholding the rule of law.
References
ACLU (n.d). Frequently asked questions about the Equal Access Act. Seattle.
Department of Education (2018). Missouri compilation of school discipline laws and regulations. Child Trends: Maryland.
Gearan, A. (n.d). Supreme Court says religious clubs can meet at public schools. ABC News. Retrieved from abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92875&page=1
