DAYTON, Tenn. (AP) -- The insurance company for Rhea County and the county school board says voluntary Bible classes are unconstitutional, and if modifications aren' t made the schools could lose a pending lawsuit.
The case involves a federal court complaint brought by unidentified plaintiffs and the Freedom from Religion Foundation based in Madison, Wis.
The lawsuit alleges that the Rhea County school system promotes teaching religion to public school children by permitting college students from Bryan College, a private Christian school, to come into the classroom and conduct Bible classes.
They claim this is a violation of civil rights and request a judgment to cease and desist and a nominal award of $1, as well as attorney fees.
In a letter to County Schools Superintendent Sue Porter and other parties, the senior claims adjuster for the Local Government Property and Casualty Fund recommended the county modify the classes by either making them elective or holding them after school, " so they may become constitutional."
The letter also notes the county and the school board was advised about two years ago that the classes were unconstitutional, but the board ultimately voted to continue them, and the Rhea County Commission passed a resolution in support of the board.
"The insurance company is trying to back out, " Porter said.
Both Porter and County Executive Jimmy Wilkey believe the county will prevail in the case and feel the insurance company made a mistake in waiting just 11 days before the initial court date of Oct. 30 to make its recommendation. The hearing has since been postponed to Feb. 14.
" You don' t go ahead with a case and then a few days before the hearing, send a letter like this, " Wilkey said. " If we lose, and I don' t believe we will, then we have the option of suing the insurance company."