Christian Club Reinstated at NY Public School

A Christian student club at a New York public school will be allowed to meet again.

Attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit against the Half Hollow Hills Central School District in February 2010 on behalf of the club’s student leader, who said the organization was disbanded without her knowledge.

Earlier this week, the Christian legal team decided to drop the suit after reaching a settlement with the school district, which has agreed to officially recognize the club next school year.

Lawyers argued the club was being singled out because it was religious in nature while other organizations like the Gay-Straight Alliance and Amnesty International were allowed to continue. 

“Christian student groups in public schools shouldn’t be discriminated against,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman. “Shutting down a religious student club while letting the vast majority of the others remain is unconstitutional.”

School officials initially blamed the decision on budget cutbacks and a lack of student interest. Just over 50 students were members of the club in 2009.

Many of the students were instrumental in getting the club reinstated. Dozens had signed a petition in favor of the student-run organization.