THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501290049
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS AND PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
The push for school prayer is on hold in Washington, but Virginia officials will begin trying to clarify the issue this week.
As early as Monday, the state Board of Education could release proposed guidelines designed to help school administrators navigate the tricky legal ground.
The issue of religious expression on school property has been clouded by conflicting court rulings, leaving school officials in a quandary over what is permissible. The General Assembly, moving last year to end the confusion, directed the state board to develop uniform guidelines for school boards.
Board President James P. Jones said the standards, prepared with help from the Attorney General's office, would serve as ``a beginning point for public discussion.'' Public hearings will be conducted before the guidelines become final.
In a letter to state board members in November, Deputy Attorney General William H. Hurd said the state's goal is to develop a policy that is neutral toward religion. It will require a constitutional balancing act: To protect a student's right of religious expression while upholding the separation of church and state.
``I think the purpose of these guidelines is to show where, in concrete instances, both of these constitutional rights can be exercised,'' Jones said.
In Washington, House Speaker Newt Gingrich promised after the election to push for a congressional vote this summer on a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer. If the amendment passes, it still would have to win approval of three-quarters of the state legislatures before it becomes law.
Already this year, at least four members of Congress, including Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., have introduced proposed amendments. But Rep. Ernest J. Istook Jr., R-Okla., whom Gingrich has designated the point man on the issue, has not yet scheduled public hearings or drafted his own version.
``They have said we're backing off from it, but nothing could be further from the truth,'' said Istook's press secretary, Steve Jones.
Jones said Congress needed time to first concentrate on items, such as welfare reform, in the ``Contract With America.'' And Istook's staff needs time to research court decisions. ``We figure if we're going to noodle with the Constitution, we better be right the first time.''
He predicted a congressional vote by the end of the year. MEMO: [For related stories, see pages A1 and A6 for this date.]
KEYWORDS: SCHOOL PRAYER EDUCATION by CNB