Supreme Court Won't Hear Texas Student-Led Prayer Case - Why That's a Victory for Freedom

The Supreme Court has affirmed a victory for prayer at school board meetings in Texas.

The justices declined to hear an appeal of a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that upheld student-led prayers before meetings of the Birdville Independent School District. 

The district allows students to make statements before the meetings and most offer a prayer.

Birdville schools Superintendent Darrell Brown told the Star-Telegram the district has been "vindicated" in its legal fight to support student-led prayers at board meetings.

"The speeches given by students at the board meetings are their own — not something they are told to say," Brown said in a statement. "Occasionally, students will open the meeting with a prayer. We believe the students have the right to express themselves in this manner if they choose."

The 5th Circuit's panel of three judges determined earlier this year that a lower court acted correctly when it dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Birdville High School graduate and by the American Humanist Association.

The former student said the prayers made him feel "violated and uncomfortable."

"This is the end of the road for this case," Monica Miller, senior counsel for the association told the newspaper.