UPDATE: Group Says Teacher Memorial at School Violates First Amendment
UPDATE 2/11/15 @ 11:25 p.m. RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A school in Jackson County, West Virginia, is facing religious scrutiny over a memorial honoring a teacher who passed away.
Ravenswood Middle School received a letter from the Freedom of Religion Foundation, saying it violates the First Amendment.
One by one on Wednesday, cars drove by Ravenswood Middle School, catching a glimpse of what may be the most controversial thing in town.
"I think that everybody is very outspoken," said Tracie Sadecky.
Unfortunately, Sadecky remembers why the memorial was put up in the first place.
Back in 2004, Joann Christy, a teacher who taught at the school for more than a quarter of a century, was killed in an accident.
"There's so many kids that came through this school that were affected by her death, that were affected by her teachings, and now we're just trying to keep her memory alive here," Sadecky said.
Sadecky, along with some others, feel that memory may soon slip away.
The Freedom of Religion Foundation recently notified the school, saying the crosses and angels on the memorial are a violation of the separation of church and state.
"The First Amendment mandates that schools cannot advance or promote religion, so that's what this display is doing," said Patrick Elliott, a staff attorney with FORF.
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UPDATE: Group Says Teacher Memorial at School Violates First Amendment