WOSU News » Jackson City Schools

Jackson High Schools Removes Jesus Painting To Avoid Legal Fight

Steve Brown — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:32:00 +0000

A southern Ohio school district has agreed to take down a painting of Jesus amid a legal challenge claiming that it’s an unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity.

Jackson City Schools Superintendent Phil Howard said the decision to remove the portrait from a school hallway came because the district could end up paying significant legal fees and costs if it lost the lawsuit brought by two parents and a student.

American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio spokesman Nick Worner says the district voluntarily agreed to remove the Jesus portrait during a U.S. District Court hearing Tuesday in Columbus.

School officials say the portrait, which has hung in school hallways since 1947, is owned by a Christian-based student club and represents private speech.

Jackson School Board Considers Response to Jesus Depiction Suit

The Associated Press — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:14:08 +0000

The Jackson City school board is set to meet over how it will respond to a federal lawsuit seeking removal of a depiction of Jesus that hangs prominently in its middle school.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation say the large depiction unconstitutionally promotes religion. T

They filed a lawsuit last week in U.S. district court on behalf on an unidentified student and two parents.

The Jackson City Schools board will meet Tuesday evening in an elementary school gym.

Superintendent Phil Howard says the district was “shocked and surprised” at the suit. Attorneys for the district have been examining the matter.

The district says the picture was donated by a student group and has been in the school since about 1947.

ACLU OF Ohio Says Jesus Painting In Jackson Schools Must Go

The Associated Press — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:59:18 +0000

The American Civil Liberties Union has written to a southern Ohio school district challenging the continued display of a large depiction of Jesus that has been at a middle school building since 1947.

The ACLU of Ohio said Thursday the painting is unconstitutional, promoting one religion instead of separation of church and state.

A Wisconsin-based activist group had written earlier to the school saying the painting hanging above the Jackson Middle School entrance is illegal and should be taken down.

During a school board meeting Tuesday night that drew 300 people, superintendent Phil Howard said the painting has historical significance and will stay put. He received strong backing from most in the crowd.

Jackson is some 70 miles south of Columbus.