Case settled over use of God's name

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 12, 2005 | by Jill Tucker, STAFF WRITER

A final settlement was reached Thursday in case of the Cupertino school teacher who sued his district after officials banned him from using religious excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and other historical documents.

The case drew national attention after fifth-grade teacher Stephen Williams filed the federal lawsuit in December alleging the school's Principal Patricia Vidmar prevented him giving pupils several handouts that focused on Christianity's influence in U.S. history.

Among the banned handouts was "George Washington's Prayer Journal" and specific sections of the Declaration of Independence that refer to "God," "Creator" and "Supreme Judge."

Attorneys for Williams said the district's actions violated the teacher's First Amendment rights and was censorship of the writing of historical figures.

Both sides said the settlement was satisfactory.

The agreement stipulated that district policy allows religious instruction as long as it is age-appropriate, conforms to the district's state-approved standards and is not being used to influence pupils' religious beliefs.

A statement by the district said the case was "resolved without any financial considerations or admission of liability on behalf of the district."

Terry Thompson represented Williams, said the settlement acknowledges the simple fact that the district's own policy, "allows teachers to teach about religions."

Contact Jill Tucker at jtucker@dailyreviewonline.com.