Eighth Circuit Prevents School From Giving Bibles to Elementary School Students
The Eighth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction in Doe v. South Iron R-1 Sch. Dist., 2007 WL 2363216 (8th Cir. 8/21/07).
The South Iron R-1 School District permitted Gideons International to distribute bibles to fifth graders. The Gideons distributed these bibles on school grounds during the school day. Parents of fifth graders filed this lawsuit alleging violation of the Establishment Clause. The district court agreed a granted a preliminary injunction to prevent further distribution of the bibles.
The school district then adopted a content-neutral policy for distribution of materials to students. This policy would allow the Gideons to distribute bibles and allow other groups to distribute materials. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the injunction as to the old policy, but declined to make a decision as to the constitutionality of the new policy.
