<p>A church group that meets in a public school approached me to design and make a piece of equipment for them that will make it easier for them to meet in the public school. After some soul searching and investigation into law, I decided to do this. I believe very strongly in the separation of church and state, so it didn’t feel right to me, but I found that the law allows this sort of arrangement as long as the school allows other groups to do the same. (I don’t know if they do or not, but I’m assuming they do or would if asked.) </p>
<p>So I design this portable piece of equipment that they can store in a closet at the school (thinking, “they have other closets, or more space in this closet, if other groups do the same”). Now, they want me to think about how to affix this thing to the wall. I just cannot do it. My heart says to do so is just wrong. </p>
<p>Please, change my mind or give me the support I need (and the polite, kind words) to refuse this request.</p>
<p>Making anything that would attach to the wall would need the approval of the school. Just tell them you cannot proceed until they provide a letter from the school approving the construction. If the school approves you do not need to worry. It will have met whatever equal access rules are in place.</p>
<p>IMO, this decision isn’t really yours. Wouldn’t it be up to the School Board or whatever the group is called where you are? Aren’t they the ones who gave the church group permission to meet in the school in the first place? I would think they (School Board) would prefer to have the equipment you designed remain portable. Again, IMO. But the end result is you don’t need to make this call.</p>
<p>CB and Singersmom: I realize that legally it’s up to the school/school board. For my part, it’s a moral judgment. Even if it was okay with the school board, I would feel it was wrong to permanently affix something to the wall for the purpose of hanging the church’s equipment and, with my current thinking, would not do it. (Does that clarify some, Pizzagirl?) (Schools in my area routinely violate the Establishment Clause.)</p>
<p>Where in the country are you, and how are schools in your area routinely violating the Establishment Clause?</p>
<p>If it’s a moral judgment on your part, then it’s a moral judgment on your part. Why can’t you tell them that you understand that their club has a right to meet in the school, but your understanding of the Establishment Clause means their paraphernalia can’t be permanently attached, and therefore you are not comfortable performing that modification? Cite some friend who’s a lawyer if it makes you feel better.</p>
<p>My bigger question is – why do you feel pressure? What will happen if you say no?</p>
<p>Our schools have outside groups, including churches, that meet in them. This is a money-making deal for the schools. Buildings are just buildings, and just because a church meets there when students are not in attendance - that doesn’t violate the separation of church and state. Now, if the church met during school hours and tried to convert students to their beliefs - that would be in violation. If I were you, I would just request the letter giving permission to affix said object, and if it comes through, design what is requested. (Edit: unless it’s a cross!!!)</p>
<p>Not knowing what this thing is, can you fashion a bracket of some sort so that it can be put up and taken down as appropriate? Then it is not really an issue if the school approves the bracket.</p>
<p>Pizza girl, you’re right: I don’t know why I feel pressure…I can just say no and, if I have to, I will. I signed on for a free-standing structure and I’m not comfortable making something that attaches to the wall–even if I’m not the one doing the attaching. I guess I just feel so personally oppressed by the hyper-religiosity in my area that I can’t be even a small part of it.</p>
<p>Thanks very much to everyone who responded–you all really helped.</p>
<p>I think you’re splitting hairs. Whether this is free-standing or attached to the wall doesn’t really matter as long as it’s taking up space. I don’t see why you’d be morally willing to do one but not the other. </p>
<p>It’s up to the school to decide. I hope this group is paying the school for the use of the facility and if so, it’s possible that the revenue would be put to good use to educate the kids. If they’re not paying for use of the space and they’re doing it because the principal happens to attend that particular church, then that’s a questionable use of public property.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to do this for any reason, just don’t. You don’t have to give an explanation. Just say, you don’t want to do it. I don’t see the problem.</p>
<p>Happykid’s Saturday Spanish program rents space in a private school. They are allowed a corner of a small under-used room for one free-standing, locking metal storage cabinet. Occasionally items are stored on top of it as well, but those things tend to get mixed up with the school’s things. All of the rest of the program’s stuff has to be dragged back and forth from the teachers’ and administrator’s homes every single week.</p>
<p>While I can sympathize with the desire of the church group for a nailed-down structure, I absolutely agree that it is inappropriate for them to request one. They are renting temporarily and their contract could be canceled at any moment. If the school has a corner for them to store a free-standing item in, that’s OK. Nailing anything to the wall is not.</p>
<p>^^ But whether that (attaching to the wall) is permitted is the school’s decision. It’s not like anyone’s doing it on their own. I don’t see why the OP should be concerned about it if it’s okay with the school. If the OP doesn’t attach it there, with the permission of the school, then whoever replaces the OP will. If the OP thinks the whole thing is unethical for whatever reason, then she should simply decline the job.</p>