[news] Cranston schools boss wants to split legal bill

source:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2012/04/23/cranston_schools_boss_wants_to_split_legal_bill/

CRANSTON, R.I.—Cranston's school committee has approved a proposal that calls for the school district and the city to split $150,000 in legal fees owed in a lawsuit over a school prayer banner.

The Providence Journal reports (http://bit.ly/ItwZTF) that the vote Monday night was unanimous. Schools Superintendent Peter Nero made the proposal.

The money is owed to lawyers for the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union who sued on behalf of 16-year-old atheist Jessica Ahlquist.

A federal judge this year ruled the prayer was unconstitutional and ordered its removal. The school committee voted not to appeal the decision. The banner has been removed from the auditorium at Cranston High School West.