Texas school superintendent allows Wiccan student to wear pentacle
By The Associated Press
09.12.02
DALLAS — A North Texas high school student whose family practices a pagan religion won the right yesterday to wear her pentacle necklace in full view after appealing the issue to the district superintendent.
Waxahachie High School freshman Rebecca Moreno, suspended for wearing the pentagram jewelry, had been forced to wear it hidden under her blouse in order to return to class.
In a letter to Moreno, 15, and her family, Waxahachie Independent School District Superintendent Bobby Parker Jr. said the district's policy protects all faiths.
He also said he would recommend that the school board review the district's dress code to make sure religious expression and free speech are not restricted.
"While the Wiccan faith may not be the majority religion in our community, our board policies protect all faiths," Parker wrote the Moreno family.
Michael Linz, an attorney hired by the American Civil Liberties Union in Dallas to represent the family, praised the decision.
"The superintendent's opinion is what I had hoped for," Linz told The Dallas Morning News for yesterday's editions.
The teen was twice suspended from Waxahachie High for wearing the pentacle, a five-pointed star inside a circle, because school officials said she violated school policy.
The policy classifies jewelry that features the pentacle, swastika and drug-oriented symbols as potentially disruptive to the educational environment.
Last week, school officials softened their position and said Rebecca could return to classes if she agreed to wear the pentacle inside her clothing.
But the Morenos, who practice Wicca, say the pentacle is an important symbol in their religion and not allowing students to wear it in full view violates their First Amendment rights.
School officials said they never banned the pentacle on religious grounds. They said the symbol was banned in 1997 because it became associated with animal sacrifice and devil worship.
"The result was a distraction and disruption at school," Parker wrote.
Parker said Rebecca can continue to wear her necklace "so long as it does not cause a disruption in the educational environment."
Laura Moreno, Rebecca's mother, said she doesn't see that happening.
"I don't think it will be a distraction to anybody," she said. "Rebecca is excited and relieved that this is over."