WAPPINGERS FALLS – Wappingers Central School District (WCSD) and R.C. Ketcham High School (Ketcham) have reversed their decision blocking Daniela Barca, a Ketcham student, from forming a religious club at school.
Barca is a freshman at Ketcham and had sought to start a Christian club and in July asked Special Education teacher Barbara Hargraves to be the advisor. Hargraves worked with the Christian student to complete the required application and submitted it on behalf of Barca. The administration failed to respond to the application, even after the school year had started. According to Barca, School Principal David Seipp met with her in late October and informed the student that he was denying the formation of the club, suggesting that a religious club could not meet on an official basis and certainly the school could not promote the club like it does the Pride Club, Mask & Mime Society, and other clubs.
When Principal Seipp denied the application, Barca appealed the decision to Assistant District Superintendent Daren Lolkema. In her email to Lolkema, Barca said, “I am a Christian. But sometimes it feels like I’m the only one. I want to start this club for other students like me so we can support each other in our beliefs. The school district celebrates diversity and the right to express who you are. All I want is to be allowed to express who I am.”
The freshman also included a link to the text of the Equal Access Act of 1984.
Lolkema also denied Barca’s application and the Barca family sought legal advice from First Liberty Institute, the nation’s largest law firm dedicated exclusively to defending and restoring religious liberties.
First Liberty Attorney Keisha Russell took the case and sent a letter to WCSD Superintendent Jose Carrion on December 11. Russell’s letter pointed to federal law on the matter. “We write concerning the unlawful denial of equal access to Ketcham High School freshman Daniela Barca and other students who wish to form a religious club at the school. The school’s repeated denial of Daniela’s application to form this religious club is a violation of the Equal Access Act of 1984 (EAA) and the U.S. Constitution and must stop immediately.”
In a statement issued on December 16, Russell said “Wappingers School district officials reversed a decision that prevented First Liberty client Daniela Barca from forming a religious club at school. Final approval of the club should take place at a January school board meeting. “We are grateful to the Wappingers Central School District officials for acting swiftly to ensure that religious students can freely exercise their right to meet together at school.” Russell added that “Daniela is thrilled she’ll be allowed to form a club so those who share her faith can express who they are and encourage each other.” On the potential for the club to finally start, Barca said “I am so happy that school district officials are going to allow us to start the club at school so we can support each other in our beliefs.”
Former school board president Lori Jiava weighed in, saying “I find it egregious that the administration would have told her no. Under the equal access act of 1984 she’s entitled to open an after-school club with a volunteer advisor. I am baffled over the reasoning for rejecting her request was. However, I am sure that once the administration, the school board and the school attorneys discuss this, there will be no question that she’s entitled to have the club she requested under the law. I admire students that take the initiative to be leaders and stand up for what they believe in. Her perseverance is beyond admirable. In a world where people seem to be losing faith, it is refreshing to see a young adult being a steady light in the darkness.”
The WCSD superintendent did not respond to telephone and email requests for comment.
