School officials face contempt charges

PACE, Fla. - It's all because of a blessing before a school luncheon. Now, a high school principal and athletic director have criminal contempt charges to answer to.

This is all according to a federally issued order. It said Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman said the prayer about a week after a judge issued an injunction, which prohibited school officials from promoting, endorsing or leading religious prayers during school sponsored events.

Richard Sheppard thinks it's ridiculous. "I think the majority of the population around here agrees with the prayer."

You can see the support for the administrators as you drive through the community. "Pray for our schools" signs are all over town.

The recent legal action the school has faced from the A.C.L.U has taken a toll on the community. Folks in the area believe this latest development is going too far.

Alice Milstead says the administrators aren't criminals, yet they'll have to defend themselves before a judge. They may possibly even serve time in jail if convicted.

"I don't think it's right, I think its dead wrong," said Milstead.

The two administrators will be able to fight these allegations in court on September 17.

Another school employee is also facing a civil contempt charge. The A.C.L.U. says Michele Winkler asked her husband to say a prayer at a school sponsored event, even after school officials told her she couldn't say the prayer.