The Georgetown County School District says it was a complaint from the national organization Americans United for the Separation of Church and State that resulted in the decision to discontinue a morning prayer time and the passing out of scriptures at Georgetown High School.

As reported in Monday’s Georgetown Times, students who have been meeting in the school’s auditorium each morning for a time of prayer have been told they can no longer hold the sessions.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier said Monday Americans United for the Separation of Church and State received a complaint from a community member stating a woman was handing out religious literature to students on the campus.

“I think it is unfortunate that this situation occurred and believe it is important that the District respect the rights and the religious beliefs of all individuals. The District and Georgetown High School have clearly established procedures for community members to come onto school campuses,” Dozier said in a written statement.  “The District does not permit any person to be on a school campus who has not been properly screened or who does not have prior written consent to come onto campus for a specified purpose.  The District does not allow community members to come onto campus to distribute literature of any kind to students without prior written consent.”

Violet Infinger, the woman who has been handing out the scriptures since 1999, says she received approval from former Superintendent Chuck Gadsden but has nothing in writing.

“The District does have a policy-JBF-Release Time for Religious Instruction, which allows students, with parental permission, an opportunity to participate in religious instruction offered by recognized religious groups off school grounds,” Dozier said.  “In addition, any student who wishes to form a club with a religious basis or emphasis, for example, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, may access the District's procedures to form such a club.  In such cases, the club would locate a District employee to serve as a club sponsor, and the club would be permitted to meet on school grounds like other clubs.”

Read much more on this story in Wednesday’s edition of the Georgetown Times.

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GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  A group of Georgetown High School students who have been meeting in the school’s auditorium each morning for a time of prayer can no longer hold the sessions until they get approved by the district’s attorney.

Although the prayer time — held each morning until the first bell rings — has been taking place for years, district leaders say they did not know about it until last week.

Dr. Celeste Pringle, assistant superintendent of curriculum, said her office received an anonymous call last week from someone concerned about activity that had been taking place before the prayer time each morning.

“The person left a message about a lady on the campus handing out religious literature,” Pringle said.

Handing out Bible scriptures

The caller was referring to Violet Infinger who, since 1999, has been handing out Bible scriptures to students as they arrive for school.

Infinger said each day the slips of paper containing the scripture invite students to the prayer time in the auditorium and contain information about accepting Jesus Christ into the students’ lives.

Infinger said she received a letter from Pringle last week stating she could stand outside the gate of the school to hand out the scriptures, but she cannot do it on school grounds.

“I was in shock,” Infinger said when asked how she felt when she received the letter.

Pringle said neither she nor Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier were aware the passing out of scriptures or the prayer sessions were taking place.

“I have never seen her there,” Pringle said.

Infinger said she received permission for her activities from former Superintendent Charles Gadsden.

“She has nothing in writing,” Pringle said.

 Not a sanctioned club

Pringle said if the group of students were a sanctioned club of the school — supervised by a staff member — the prayer sessions could continue.

However, according to Principal Dr. Mike Cafaro, the group that meets is not a club.

Pringle said the district has ordinances in place that govern such activities.

She said there is a possibility the prayer sessions could resume.

A letter —drafted by a student — needs to be written to Cafaro requesting the use of the auditorium.

The letter will be passed to Pringle who will confer with the district’s attorney to determine if the request would be in accordance with policy.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com