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Resident urges school board to restore prayer at meetings and in schools during public comment
Summary
During public comment a resident asked the board to reinstate prayers at school board meetings and daily school prayers for students, arguing Supreme Court precedent has been misapplied and prayer removal harms children.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Marion Knight of Danbridge urged the Jefferson County Board of Education to resume opening meetings with prayer and to restore daily prayer in schools.
Marion Knight opened by identifying herself and her address, then said: "The first amendment says, congress shall make no law establishing a religion or prohibiting street exercise. You are not making laws about religion." Knight argued that prohibitions on government-sponsored prayer have left children without an acknowledged place for religion and asked, "How about if we start right now with a prayer to start this meeting?" She then offered a spoken prayer and closed by saying, "Please grant us the courage to fulfill your will in the name of Jesus Christ, my lord and savior. Amen." Knight asked the board to "start your meetings with prayer like other boards."
Board members did not take formal action on the request during the meeting. The public comment was included on the record but no policy change or vote occurred during the session.
