Judge allows public school commencement at church

MILWAUKEE — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that a Wisconsin school district may continue to hold its graduation ceremonies in a church because the location doesn’t necessarily make it a religious event.

U.S. District Judge Charles Clevert ruled in a lawsuit brought by Americans United for Separation of Church and State against a district in a Milwaukee suburb. The group had argued that the setting violated students’ and parents’ constitutional rights by creating an atmosphere that makes non-Christians uncomfortable.

The Elmbrook School District plans to use Elmbrook Church for Brookfield Central and East high schools’ commencement ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday. School district officials say they chose Elmbrook Church and its 3,200-seat capacity for convenience and comfort. Brookfield Central has held its graduation there since 2000, Brookfield East since 2002.

“I’m relieved,” Superintendent Matt Gibson said. “The students are going to be able to graduate in their preferred location.”

Addressing the court, Clevert said the “ceremony in the church does not necessarily constitute a church ceremony,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Alex Luchenitser, senior litigation counsel for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told The Associated Press the group plans to appeal.

“The students are going to be forced to go to church at the price of attending their own graduation,” he said. “They’re going to be forced to sit in a sanctuary facing an enormous cross for two hours, facing bibles, hymnal books in pews right in front of them.”

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of students, alumni and parents who are not Christian. Some belong to other faiths and others are atheists.