ACLU: Walnut Hill principal's religious messages illegal

Caddo Parish Schools is investigating allegations in an open letter by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana that the principal of Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School violated the First Amendment by invoking God and Jesus and calling for prayer in school publications.

The school district issued a statement Tuesday saying it would investigate the matter internally and make certain there isn't a Constitutional violation.

"In this instance, questionable materials subsequently have been removed from district web pages while the investigation continues," the statement said. "If there is a violation, we will make certain we act swiftly to ensure we do not have any further violations."

The principal in question, Albert Hardison, said he couldn't comment on the matter.

In the letter, ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman said Hardison engaged in unlawful religious coercion by referencing God, specific Bible verses, Christianity and prayer in messages directed at parents. The letter was sent to Superintendent Lamar Goree Monday.

According to the ACLU's letter, a message in a March newsletter asked parents to pray God gives students strength, mental fortitude, patience and wisdom as they prepare for state mandated testing.

"Please help our children understand the meaning of Philippians 4:13 ... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," the ACLU quoted the newsletter as saying.

A separate "Principal's Message" posted on the school's website, also previously included numerous references to God and Christ.

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what type of house we lived in, what color our skin was, how much money we had or what brand of clothes we wore, but what will matter is that we steadfastly walked in the ways of Christ, that we honored and loved our parents, family, and fellow man and that we lived by our school motto," a portion of the message said before the references were removed.

Such practices, the ACLU said, should be stop immediately.

"No school employee may tell a student what religion to practice or even to practice religion at all," Esman wrote. "Nor may a school official tell students or their families to teach any religious texts."

All religious references included in the "Principal's Message" have since been removed. Meanwhile, Hardison has received an outpouring of support online from parents and others.

Jeanine Rowe, a teacher's aide and Walnut Hill PTA president, attributes the school's success to Hardison's beliefs. She said he teaches basic values such as trying your best and exhibiting good behavior needed to be successful in life.

"I think the ACLU should stay out of our school and leave us alone," she said. "We are a successful school. We're not hurting anybody. We're not forcing our beliefs on anybody. They are our beliefs."

She said prayer is not being forced on students. Rowe's children and grandchildren attended Walnut Hills. She said she stayed to work at the school because she believes in what Hardison stands for. She and others described Hardison as a caring and religious principal who often purchased — out of pocket — shoes, clothes, backpacks and other essentials for students.

Rowe said Hardison's messages would still be well-received even if he practiced another religion.

"It's the basic principles of doing the right thing," she said.

Rochelle Miller, a paraprofessional and parent of Walnut Hill students, also supports Hardison's messages.

"We put God first in my household, and I love that the same principles apply here," she said.

The ACLU of Louisiana also asked Goree to educate all school officials about Constitutional protections staff and students have from religious indoctrination.

"These policies and procedures must be communicated to all students and their parents or guardians," wrote Esman. "Please confirm to this office that the School Board will take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the law."

The school district says it works to ensure constitutional rights are not violated at any school.

"We take concerns and complaints seriously and make sure to follow the law," the district's statement said. "At the same time, the district remains committed to protecting student freedoms. This includes their abilities to lead and participate in prayer and other religious activities, and we will equally continue to work to ensure student freedoms are not inhibited."