Twinsburg School Board ends tradition of prayer

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by Andrew Schunk
and Emily Canning-Dean

Twinsburg Bulletin Editor and Reporter

Twinsburg -- Some people say they are disappointed in the Board of Education's August decision to forgo prayer at its meetings, and a group plans to meet on its own before the meetings to pray.

The Aug. 20 meeting marked the first time the Board did not offer a prayer before the call to order.

"It is extremely disappointing to me personally," Board of Education Chairperson David Andrews said. "The prayers given [by Superintendent Steve Marlow] were non-sectarian."

Andrews said Aug. 20 it was brought to his attention in August by the Board of Education's legal counsel, Ron Habowski, that the Board "would not be in a good position" if someone challenged the legality of prayer prior to any public meetings. Andrews said he has heard that a resident had complained about the Board having prayer before its public meetings.

"He said he thinks this type of activity could be in violation of the First Amendment," Andrews said.

In response to the decision to stop praying before meetings, Joe Jancsurak, a Waldo Way resident who is spearheading a prayer group that will meet prior to Board meetings, said the first "Pray First Always" meeting will be before the Sept. 17 Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Twinsburg Library, in Meeting Room 2. The Board meets at 7 p.m. at the Twinsburg Government Center. He said he is expecting six to 10 people for the first prayer meeting.

"When it comes to decisions, programs and situations impacting our schools, city, police and firefighters, it just makes sense that we as a community should always seek God's wisdom, direction and protection," Jancsurak said Sept. 8. "That happens through prayer which is our 24/7 opportunity as human beings to stay connected with the maker of heaven and earth."

Board member William Buzulence thanked Jancsurak for his offer to continue prayer, and said he would participate in the prayer group prior to Board meetings.

"It's unfortunate this has to be stopped," Buzulence said. "I don't see what's wrong with having a prayer [before meetings]. But it is going to look stupid if we get taken to court on what is considered to be a closed issue."

J. Dean Carro, a faculty member of the University of Akron School of Law, said he thinks prayer at public gatherings is not necessarily a violation of the First Amendment.

"Much depends on the setting," Carro said. "To the reasonable observer, a prayer offered at a public event does not necessarily mean that government or school officials endorse a certain religious belief.

"That is why a rabbi or priest are often invited to speak at commencements of public colleges. But in a different setting, maybe a class of kindergarten students, a mandated prayer would need to be banned because the students are too young to understand that the prayer is not a public endorsement of a certain religious belief."

Superintendent Steve Marlow said he agrees that it is best to go along with Habowski's recommendation.

"I appreciate the group that is praying at an alternative location though," Marlow said.

A prayer is also offered when the U.S. Congress meets, according to officials from U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette's office.

"If Congress is doing it, I don't think it is at all a violation of the First Amendment," Murphy said.

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172