After Thursday's meeting, in which she rescinded my invitation to pray before the board, Mrs Hightower (SB member) mentioned that the Invocation occurs BEFORE the meeting is called to order. Perhaps this was her justification for prayer at a government meeting - that is not 'technically' part of the meeting and therefore doesn't violate the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. Of course we know that the ECSB has firmly established only Christian prayers. Before their prayer begins, everyone settled down, the SB president welcomes the audience, then the invocation speaker is introduced by whichever member chose the prayer-giver. It's ALL recorded into the public record.
In any event, Mrs Hightower said I don't have to participate and that I should just excuse myself. This brings an idea. If some of us don't agree with the (always Christian) prayer, can't we continue to walk around and talk on the phone, as we do before the meeting "officially" starts? Note that the unofficial part always happens AFTER 5:30 when the meeting should have started . Better yet, may we use this time to deliver our own alternative prayer, or perhaps a song we find sacred? 'Imagine' comes to mind. Wouldn't it be contrary to SB policy to stop someone their religion IN THEIR OWN WAY during the time set aside for such observances? Of course, EVERYONE could do just that - pray in their own way - and less disruptively, if there were an inclusive moment of silence instead.
Personally, I would rather school board move the ACTUAL Call to Order to before the Invocation and Pledge, as the City and County do. I mean, if you're going to practice YOUR favorite religion at the meeting, why pretend the meeting hasn't started? Just embrace it! "Technically" not starting the meeting (pending the invocation) is not fooling anyone anymore.
BELOW are:
1) An email I sent to Donna Waters, SB Attorney and SB Member Hightower, asking them to clarify. Depending on the answer about the legality, some of us may be calling for an alternative prayer to be conducted simultaneously to the Christian invocation already scheduled, but not permitted by SB members when we asked.
2) Part of the next ECSB general meeting's Agenda, showing the Invocation Prayer time (which is unconstitutional) and the Public Forum time (totally legit) BEFORE the Call to Order.
1)
Ms Waters, Mrs Hightower,
To clarify (after what Mrs Hightower told me in person), is it corrent that the school board meeting does not begin until the Call to Order? I see in the agenda that the Invocation occurs BEFORE the Call. Mrs Hightower implied that this might be relevant. I assume she means that it doesn't make the prayer an official part of the meeting - though clearly the board still endorses the practice.
My question: If my friends and I walk freely about the room, speaking on our cell phones BEFORE the Call to Order, is there any legal reason why we MUST stop talking or leave the room during the (unconstitutional) Invocation going on then? Of course, we would give more respect to the public forum, also before the Call to Order. I just want to be sure the the SB staff will not ask the police officer present to escort us out of the next meeting (before it has started).
Also, I look forward to the written answer promised to me by Mrs Hightower, describing her reasons for rescinding the Pagan prayer she offered to let me lead at the November or December meeting, when her turn comes up. A simple email would be fine.
Your clarification would be appreciated. Of course, if you take the prudent step (even temporarily) of going to an incusive moment of silence, I won't even need to attend any more meetings.
Best Regards,
David Suhor
2)
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
J.E. HALL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CENTER
30 EAST TEXAR DRIVE
ROOM 160
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 5:01 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING
Meeting was advertised in the Pensacola News Journal on September 1, 2014 - Legal No. 1629121
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC FORUM
NOTE: Request to Speak Forms are available at the entrance table. All speakers wishing to address the Board are
asked to fill out a form and turn it in at the front of the room. All speakers are limited to three minutes.
I. CALL TO ORDER/ADOPTION OF AGENDA
II. MINUTES
a. 07-17-14 Regular Workshop
b. 07-29-14 Special Meeting
c. 08-19-14 Regular Meeting
III. COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
a. PTA Presentation
b. Stellar Employee of the Month
c. Five-Star School Awards
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
-No items submitted
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