Pandemic ‘slightly delayed’ negotiations
More than a year after it derecognized a Christian student group for murky reasons, a Montana high school has reinstated its Fellowship of Christian Athletes “huddle” as a non-curricular club.
Policy revisions by Bozeman Public Schools also ensure the club has equal access to resources and the capability to recruit new members, according to this week’s announcement by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing the club.
In an interview with
The College Fix, an alliance lawyer didn’t explain in detail why its negotiations with the school district took so long. It threatened legal action a year ago if the school district didn’t give the huddle the same rights and privileges as every other school club by Dec. 18, 2019.
Bozeman High School | Google Maps
A high school in Montana has lifted a ban on a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, allowing the student group to be officially recognized and hold meetings on campus.
Bozeman High School had derecognized the FCA last year when some students complained about the group’s stance on sexual ethics issues like marriage and homosexuality.
However, Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative law firm representing the FCA chapter, announced Tuesday that the high school had reversed course.
“The First Amendment doesn’t permit a public school to play favorites when approving student organizations,” said ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer, as quoted in the announcement.