Tuscumbia, AL - A Christmas program at GW Trenholm Elementary School in Tuscumbia has been at the center of controversy for several days.
At issue: whether singing "Silent Night" during the show was appropriate. The advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State objected to the religious content being performed at a public school. Another advocacy group, The Alliance Defense Fund fired back, saying that the school should be allowed to perform.
After consulting with attorneys, the Tuscumbia City School Superintendent has made a decision. Dr. Joe D. Walters issued a statement Friday afternoon reading in part : "the use of traditional Christmas music, including carols such as Silent Night, in the context of a school Christmas program has been permitted and ruled not to be in violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Accordingly, we intend to allow our students to proceed with the Christmas program they have prepared to perform. We are confident the program will be enjoyed by all of our students and their families."
