Santa Claus is 'Coming Out of the Closet'

Board of Education member Mark Antinozzi sidestepped the board "dancing around the issue" when it comes to religion in schools and announced Monday night that with the new policy, Santa Claus will be "coming out of the closet."

"We are looking at all of our religious observations as part of the culture, we are looking at the body of human experience," he said. "And if we want to have Santa Claus, he will be out there."

The religious observance controversy has been brewing since the presence of Santa Claus at a Fawn Hollow Elementary School holiday celebration last year alarmed some parents, as well as Menorahs and Christmas trees, which may be considered religious symbols in classrooms.

School board members reviewed five policy proposals Monday surrounding religious holiday observances and first amendment rights in regards to prayer on school grounds throughout the district.

The proposed policies, tweaked from existing Connecticut Association of Board of Education practices by the board's policy committee last week during its regular meeting, were presented to the full board for its first review Monday before moving to a vote on district wide implementation on Oct. 18.

According to the proposed policies, several holidays with religious and secular basis can be observed throughout the year in the schools.

The policy permits values and origins of religious holidays to be explained in an unbiased manner and allows music art and literature to be used in the curriculum if presented in an unbiased manner.

The policies also recognize significant religious holidays by declaring school vacations or by sponsoring activities which recognize the importance of the holidays within the culture.

In addition, dedication ceremonies may recognize religious pluralism of the community.

However, baccalaureate services, which involve prayer, must be sponsored by agencies outside of the school district.

The policies also permit writing or analyzing literature on religious subjects, playing music which is religious in origin, artwork dealing with religious themes and the study of the Bible for its literary and historical significance.

Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer told the board Monday night a new religious observance policy was also added in response to board members concerns about student prayer and religious clubs on school grounds.

Palmer said, according to the proposed policy, student groups are allowed to conduct voluntary meetings on school grounds during non-instructional time, giving examples of prayer circles around the American flag before school or athletes gathering to pray before sporting events.

Board member Tom Taylor asked Palmer to explain religious observance by athletes and provide an example of how it would be initiated.

Palmer said it would be up to the students to initiate prayer and that coaches could not formally encourage or recognize a prayer session with students.

"If a group of athletes want to get together for prayer it cannot be led by the coach, but a group of individuals will not be denied that opportunity," she said.

Palmer concluded the district has tremendous respect for its students and tolerance has not been a problem at the high school.

"We just want students to have that opportunity," she said. "But no student should ever feel forced or coerced into participating in that activity."

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Richard Canfield added the proposed policies are based on previous discussions at board of Education meetings and community feedback.

Canfield said the display of religious symbols by certified and non-certified staff is also permitted as long as it does not create a disruptive work environment or interfere with the rights of others.

"These will help us define what is permitted and what is restricted," he said.

Board member Kelly Plunkett asked Palmer about students being allowed quiet time for religious observation during the school day.  

Palmer said the school will make accommodations for students for individual prayer as long as it does not interfere with instruction.

 "In a high school this large it is a non-issue," she said. "Students can always find a quiet place to go."

Plunkett followed up asking Palmer what she hopes the proposed policies would accomplish in the district.

Palmer said the policies being "put in print" would develop guidelines for how the district is run and noted that many of the policies are already happening.

"It is proactive to make sure the good things that have been happening continue and just having that discussion in our community has sensitized all of us," she said.