JACKSON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school district will keep a portrait of Jesus hanging in the school building where it's been 65 years, saying it is protecting students' free speech rights.
The board voted 4-0 Tuesday night to keep the painting up despite a federal lawsuit that contends the portrait unconstitutionally promotes religion in a public school.
After huddling with attorneys in closed session the board said the portrait belongs to the student group that put it up, the Hi-Y club. It says it will allow other student clubs to hang portraits appropriate to their organizations.
An ACLU spokesman says the portrait is still unconstitutional.
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