School board votes not to appeal federal court ruling barring graduations at Conn. church

Appeal dropped in Conn. church graduations case

ENFIELD, Conn. — School officials in Connecticut have voted not to appeal a federal judge’s ruling against plans to hold public high school graduations in a church.

The Enfield School Board voted 5-4 on Thursday, meaning the graduations will be held on school grounds.

A federal judge in Bridgeport had issued an injunction barring graduations in The First Cathedral in Bloomfield on June 23 and 24 until she could hold a hearing on legal issues. She said an observer would believe Enfield endorsed the church’s religious views if it held graduations there.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut represented two students suing to stop the church ceremonies. Union attorney David J. McGuire says the school board’s vote is right for the students and community.

Board officials had said the church had enough space at the right price.