
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 17, 1990                   TAG: 9004170276
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PURDY, MO.                                LENGTH: Short

COURT UPHOLDS BAN ON SCHOOL DANCES

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a ban on school dances in this Bible Belt town, prompting an opponent to lament a victory "for liars, cheats and hypocrites."

The high court without comment rejected arguments that the no-dance rule was religiously motivated and violated the constitutionally required separation of church and state.

"I'm disappointed by the ruling but I'm not surprised," said attorney William Fleischaker, who represented 21 Purdy High School students and their parents who filed a lawsuit in 1986 seeking to overturn the ban in this Ozarks town.

The ban on dancing drew national attention for its similarity to the movie "Footloose."

Joan Fox, a parent and plaintiff along with her son and husband, said the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case was "an extreme victory for liars, cheats and hypocrites." I think the judicial system in this country has gone to pot."

by CNB