Strange. Last we heard from the Enfield, CT school district, the board had just voted 5-4 not to appeal a judge's ruling that their plan to use a church for graduation ceremonies is unconstitutional. The reasonable decision to let the ruling stand seemed to effectively end the controversy, and made lots of sense. The community can now get to the business of securing a new, legal place for commencement and save lots of potential legal fees in the process, right?
The board Tuesday night changed last week's decision not to appeal.
Board member Donna Szewczak said she voted Tuesday night to approve the appeal — after voting against it last week — because "we needed to take a strong stance" and strengthen the district's defense against a May lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Enfield's lawyers are preparing an expedited appeal to the 2nd Circuit. Graduation is scheduled for June 23. The race is on!
