English-only policy draws suit

WICHITA, Kan. -- Four Hispanic families are suing St. Anne Catholic School here over a policy that requires students to speak English at all times while at school.

The lawsuit, filed May 19, calls for an end to the policy and asks for an order barring similar policies at other diocesan schools. It seeks the return to the school of one student who was allegedly kicked out for refusing to sign the "English-only" pledge. And it asks for

court costs and unspecified damages for discrimination and emotional suffering.

Diocesan spokesman Fred Solis called the lawsuit unfortunate, saying the church has historically offered support and services to minorities and spoken out for immigrant rights.

The diocese has said the school enacted the policy in response to four students who were using Spanish to bully others and to put down teachers and administrators. About 75 of the school's 243 students are Hispanic. The majority are white.

COPYRIGHT 2008 National Catholic Reporter
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning