Plano, TX- Today, a demand letter was sent to Grapevine/Colleyville Independent School District, asking the district to immediately cease its religious discrimination against Students Standing Strong, a student-led Bible study club.
The district surprised Students Standing Strong on Friday, April 7, 2006 with an ultimatum that it must sign away its right to be a student club and pay fees in order to hold its previously approved student club meeting on April 10, 2006.
"The district's last minute strong arm tactic is shocking. The district doesn't impose fees and rental agreements on other student clubs," said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Liberty Legal Institute.
Students Standing Strong is scheduled to have a meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Colleyville High School. Last Friday, Grapevine/Colleyville ISD informed the non-curricular, student club that it would be required to obtain a $1,000,000.00 insurance policy, sign a rental agreement and pay fees.
"The district is in direct violation of the Equal Access Act by forcing Students Standing Strong to sign a rental agreement and abdicate its status as a student club," Sasser said.
Students Standing Strong has been battling Grapevine/Colleyville ISD since 2004, in attempts to be treated as other officially recognized, non-curricular clubs. The demand letter was sent to the district in an effort to resolve the matter quickly and without litigation.
"These are good kids. What the district is doing to them is sad," said Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel for Liberty Legal Institute. "Hopefully, the district will come to its senses. If not, the club will have no choice but to file a federal lawsuit to stop these violations."