Title: State Ex Rel. Douglas v. Calvary Academy

State: nebraska

Issuer: Nebraska Supreme Court

Document:

348 N.W.2d 898 (1984) 217 Neb. 450 STATE of Nebraska ex rel. Paul L. DOUGLAS, Attorney General, et al., Appellees, v. CALVARY ACADEMY et al., Appellants. No. 83-554. Supreme Court of Nebraska. May 25, 1984. *899 David C. Gibbs, Jr., and Richard W. Moore of Gibbs & Craze, Parma Heights, Ohio, and Thomas A. Wagoner of Wagoner & Wagoner, Grand Island, for appellants. Paul L. Douglas, Atty. Gen. and Harold Mosher, Asst. Atty. Gen., Lincoln, for appellees. KRIVOSHA, C.J., and BOSLAUGH, WHITE, HASTINGS, CAPORALE, SHANAHAN, and GRANT, JJ. PER CURIAM. This was an action brought by the State of Nebraska to enjoin the defendants from operating the Calvary Academy in Grand Island, Nebraska, without complying with the school laws of the State of Nebraska. The defendants maintained that their religious convictions prevent them from complying with the school laws, and further argued that the school laws violate the free exercise clause of the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States and violate other provisions of the federal and state Constitutions. Defendants also maintain that there was no showing that the state has a compelling interest justifying the school laws. Following a lengthy trial, the trial court enjoined the defendants from operating the school until the school received approval in compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations. The defendants have appealed and argue that the trial court's determination that all constitutional issues raised had been resolved contrary to the position of the defendants in State ex rel. Douglas v. Faith Baptist Church, 207 Neb. 802, 301 N.W.2d 571 (1981), appeal dismissed 454 U.S. 803, 102 S. Ct. 75, 70 L. Ed. 2d 72, is erroneous. The record discloses that Calvary Academy was being operated in violation of state law. The constitutional issues raised are controlled by our decisions in State ex rel. Douglas v. Faith Baptist Church, supra, and State ex rel. Kandt v. No. Platte Baptist Ch., 216 Neb. 684, 345 N.W.2d 19 (1984). As we stated in State ex rel. Douglas v. Morrow, 216 Neb. 317, 319, 343 N.W.2d 903, 905 (1984): The order enjoining the defendants from operating Calvary Academy until such time as the school is approved as in compliance with state law was proper and is affirmed. AFFIRMED.