On
August 27, 2008 a complaint was filed in U S Federal District Court against
the Santa Rosa County School Board, School Superintendent and Frank Lay, Principal of Pace High School (the Defendants) .
The complaint alleged the rights of two minors had been violated in that the School Board, School Superintendent and
Frank Lay were forcing their religious beliefs on the minors.
On December 15, 2008, the Santa Rosa County School Board (Defendants) admitted liability to the charges.
On
January 9, 2009, the Court issued a Preliminary Injunction that ordered the
Defendants to discontinue their policies, practices and customs of advancing religion.
On January 19, 2009, all school board employees were notified via a memo from the school board attorney of the court
order.
On January 28, 2009, Frank Lay asked Robert Freeman to offer a blessing
of the food at a dedication of a new field house at Pace High School.
On February 4, 2009, Frank Lay and Robert Freeman submitted to Superintendent Wyrosdick their account of what happened at the field house
dedication. (Copy posted on this website under Important File Downloads Notice
and Order of Criminal Contempt Proceedings)
On
February 5, 2009, Mr. Wyrosdick notified Frank and Robert via a written memorandum
that “your actions were not appropriate and this type of action should not take place again.” Mr. Wyrosdick went
on to say in the memorandum, “Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your honesty and character in which you
assisted in describing the incident. As well, let me thank you for your leadership at Pace High School” (Copy posted on this website under Important File Downloads Notice and Order of Criminal
Contempt Proceedings)
On February 20, 2009, Mrs. Michelle Winkler, a school board employee, attended the Employee of the Year Banquet. She has been accused of
violating the Court Order by asking that her husband say a prayer at the banquet. (Copy posted on the website under Important File Downloads Notice and Order of Criminal Contempt Proceedings.)
On
May 5, 2009, the plaintiffs (ACLU) files a motion for an order to show cause
why Mrs. Winkler should not be held in violation of the temporary injunction. In that order the plaintiffs
made reference to a “possible” violation by Frank Lay and Robert Freeman. They did not seek
an order to show cause regarding their (Frank and Robert) conduct. (Copy posted on this website under Important File Downloads-Notice and Order of Criminal Contempt Proceedings)
On
May 6, 2009, Judge Rodgers issued a Permanent Consent and Decree Order. (Copy posted on this website under Important File Downloads Santa Rosa County Consent Degree)
On
July 1, 2009, the Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) filed
a Motion to Intervene in the case. They wish to intervene in the case to represent the interest of school
board employees with respect to the Consent and Decree Order. The CEAI contends the Consent and Decree
Order that was agreed to by the School Board and the ACLU goes beyond law and previous court cases thus infringing on the
Constitutional rights of the employees.
On July 20, 2009, Judge Rodgers
issued a Notice and Order of Criminal Contempt Proceedings. This order requested the U. S. Attorney prosecute the case. Trial
date is set for September 17, 2009, 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 4 North, One North Palafox Street, Pensacola.
On
August 3, 2009, the CEAI filed a Reply Motion to Intervene. (Copy posted on this website under Important File Downloads Memo Reply)