Teacher, school battle over choir room

The superintendent says the singing group was moved for its own protection.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Separation of church and state has separated a student gospel choir from its practice room, according to the choir director. But the school's superintendent says the situation is just a big misunderstanding.
Eboni Watson has been the Chaney High School's choir director since the choir formed in late January
For the first few rehearsals in February, the group used the band room freely, Watson said. After about the third practice, though, Principal Robert Spencer told the students they were no longer permitted to use the piano or other school instruments housed there, Watson said.
"These kids represent Chaney. They go to school, participate in sports and clubs and can't get support when they're trying to do something positive like perform in a gospel choir," Watson said. "We're not showcasing our talent; they're praising God's name."
Watson said that when she approached Spencer about the situation, he told her that he had spoken with the Youngstown Board of Education and that the board informed him about a law requiring the separation of church and state. Spencer "apologized for not knowing about the law" beforehand, Watson said.
Auditorium use
Watson said the choir, composed of about 30 students in grades nine through 12, now uses the auditorium three days a week for practice. Nevertheless, she said it doesn't add up that it's OK for the kids to use the auditorium and not the band room.
Watson said she contacted the school board about the unfair way she felt the law was being applied toward the group.
Spencer and other Chaney High School officials are on spring break and could not be reached to comment. But Superintendent Wendy Webb said that the situation with the band room has to do with construction going on at the school as well as potential liability issues.
Webb noted that instruments in that room are not locked, and that a saxophone and a drum recently had been damaged. Limiting use of the room protects the choir and other groups from being held accountable in the event of damage or theft, she said.
"We try not to put a community person in a position to be liable," Webb said. "We don't want to accuse anyone of anything missing."
Webb said that the auditorium and other school space is "cramped" because of the construction, and that Spencer initially approved the choir's use of the band room because the auditorium was crowded.
Webb said that board policy allows school facilities to be open to religious, community, political and charitable purposes as well as by other organizations. Facilities can be used for such purposes as long as the groups don't conflict with education and there's adult supervision, she said.