California school district refunds brick project donations because some had Bible verses on them

A school district in California returned recently some $45,000 in donations after some donors purchased bricks inscribed bible verses which were to be used to help build a new school.

The Desert Sands Unified School District returned recently money from a fundraising project for Palm Desert High, as a portion of a settlement in a court case that was filed against them.

The case was filed against DSUSD because it would not permit the use of bricks that contained bible verses for the new school, which is slated to operate in the fall.

The case was filed against DSUSD by donors Lou Ann Hart and Sheryl Caronna.

They were represented by attorney David Cortman of the Alliance Defense Fund. It is expected that with the refund, they will request a dismissal of the lawsuit.

All of the bricks that donors purchased were, upon legal advice, destroyed by the school and its components have been recycled, Cindy McDaniel, assistant superintendent at DSUSD, told MyDesert.com.

Some of the funds that were raised had already been used by the Parent Teacher Organization for the graduation of the Class of 2010, but the district still paid all refunds and will also shoulder the legal fees of Caronna and Hart.

Bible verses

The melee began when Hart and Caronna purchased bricks for the fundraiser at the cost of $100-$250 each. The bricks were supposed to be used along the walkways of the school.

Bible verses on the bricks included ?The old life has gone, a new one has begun? (2 Cor. 5:17), ?Be kind to each other, forgive one another? (Eph. 5:32), and ?No one can serve two masters,? (Luke 17:13).

The fundraiser was announced in February by the parent-teacher association of the school. However, no specifications were given as to what donors could print on the bricks.

Under the program people or groups were allowed to personalize a brick that they purchased, and it would be placed along one of the new buildings of the high school.

Hundreds of other bricks had already been accepted that had quotes and messages on them, including some with religious themes. One quote that was accepted came from the Bible, but it was written in Spanish.

Leaders of other school districts did not comment on the issue, mentioning pending litigation.

Cortman said, ?There is absolutely nothing unconstitutional about a Bible verse on a brick when a school opens up a program for anyone to express a personal message.?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theundergroundsite/EYpE/~3/fqhOKcPNjJQ/

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