Opinion ID: 740411
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Act's Implementation by the Gwinnett County School District

Text: 16 Prior to the beginning of the 1994-95 school year, Bown, who was a South Gwinnett High School teacher, expressed reservations regarding the implementation of the Act. In a letter dated July 25, 1994, to Gwinnett County School Superintendent George Thompson, Bown stated that he resent[ed] the General Assembly's intrusion on the operation of [his] classroom and requested guidance regarding the implementation of the Act in his classroom. Specifically, Bown was concerned about the interpretation and enforcement of subsection (c) and its interaction with subsections (a) and (b). Bown also stated that he was uncertain what his responsibilities would be if students engaged in audible prayer during the moment of quiet reflection. Bown concluded the letter by stating that he was concerned that he might face legal liability for enforcing the Act or for attempting to determine what is and is not appropriate prayer during the moment of quiet reflection. 17 In a letter dated August 12, 1994, Mr. Steve Spellman, Administrative Assistant to the Gwinnett County School Board and Superintendent, responded to Bown's letter by mailing Bown a copy of an Administrative Bulletin that Spellman had sent to all school principals in July 1994. The Administrative Bulletin instructed that: 18 It is important that we recommend that teachers and administrators do not suggest or imply that students should or should not use [the moment of quiet reflection] for prayer. If a student asks, a teacher should advise a student that if the student desires to have a quiet prayer, he or she may do so. The statute specifically says moment of quiet reflection. This clearly precludes students using the moment of quiet reflection to pray audibly, singly or in unison. We should not allow or tolerate any coercion or overbearing by some students to force others to pray. Nevertheless, we should be tolerant of non-disruptive, non-sectarian, non-proselytizing, student initiated prayer so long as it does not occur during the moment of quiet reflection; otherwise, it will not be a moment of quiet reflection. This time is not intended to be and shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise, but considered as an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. 19 Following his receipt of Spellman's letter, Bown again attempted to raise his concerns regarding the Act in an August 16, 1994 faculty meeting and in a subsequent meeting with Principal Delores Hendrix. Partially in response to Bown's concerns, Superintendent Thompson and Principal Hendrix decided that Hendrix should announce the moment of quiet reflection at the beginning of each school day over the school intercom system in order to ensure that the announcement was handled in a uniform way every day. 20 At the beginning of the school day on August 22, 1994, the first day of the 1994-95 school year, Principal Hendrix made the following announcement over South Gwinnett High School's intercom system: As we begin another day, let us take a few moments to reflect quietly on our day, our activities, and what we hope to accomplish. After Hendrix finished making this announcement, Bown told his high school class, You may do as you wish. That's your option. But I'm going to continue with my lesson. Bown continued teaching his lesson during the moment of quiet reflection. Two students placed Bibles on their desks, and one of these students bowed her head. No students attempted to pray audibly or to lead others in prayer during the moment of quiet reflection or at any other time during the school day. 21 Later that day, Bown met with Superintendent Thompson and Principal Hendrix. Superintendent Thompson instructed Bown to comply with the moment of quiet reflection by remaining silent for the specified sixty seconds and gave Bown overnight to reconsider his actions. The next day, Bown informed Hendrix that he did not feel he could obey the Act, and he left the school's campus. Bown was suspended from his job. The Board of Education subsequently terminated his employment with the Gwinnett County School District.