Lunch prayer principal could face jail

FLORIDA, United States - A school principal and an athletics director in northern Florida face up to 6 months in jail for offering a mealtime prayer, reports the Washington Times.

The criminal charges carry up to a $5,000 fine (NZ$7,400) and a six-month jail term.

Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and school athletic director Robert Freeman will go on trial 17 September at a federal district court in Pensacola for breaching the conditions of a lawsuit settlement reached last year with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

An ACLU official said the school district has allowed "flagrant" violations of the First Amendment for years.

In August 2008, the ACLU sued Santa Rosa County Schools on behalf of two students who complained to ACLU's Florida affiliate that teachers and administrators were allowing prayers at school events and attempting to convert students, says the Washington Times.

Lay asked Freeman to offer a mealtime prayer before a lunch for school employees and people who had helped with a school project.

Staver said no students were present at the event, which was held on school property but after school hours.

ACLU says that the incident occurred during school hours and that Lay has said in writing that students were present.

Mass student protests have been organised in support of Lay and Freeman.

- NZ HERALD STAFF