Prayer banner's future in panel's hands

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Cranston's school committee has chosen to form a subcommittee to deal with a large prayer mural at Cranston High School West's auditorium.

The committee met Monday night about the mural's future, after receiving a letter from the Rhode Island ACLU, demanding it be taken down.

The decision that came out of the meeting at Hope Highlands Elementary was as expected: to create a subcommittee to come up with options for removing or changing the mural. Two students from Cranston West will sit on the committee.

School Superintendent Peter Nero had recommended the subcommittee's formation to make the change, saying the school can't afford to take part in a costly legal fight.

School officials have also pointed out the mural even violates the Cranston School District's policy separating church and state.

It's believed the prayer mural, with its reference to God, has hung in the auditorium since the building opened in 1958. Students aren't allowed to recite it or memorize it, and it isn't used in school functions or lessons.

The ACLU's raising of the issue stemmed from a complaint from a parent.