Religious song had no place at event

This letter is regarding Henry M. Jackson High School’s graduation at the Everett Events Center, which is, as I understand it, a public venue.

I would like to express my puzzlement over how the Everett School District – including a school board member, superintendent, south area executive director, principal and choir director – can justify classroom civics instruction on the importance of our national and state constitutions specifically relating to policy regarding religious activity, while willfully disregarding the same by sponsorship of nonsecular entertainment during a public graduation ceremony. (The program’s song title of “Up Above My Head” gave no indication the words sung would be of a religious nature.)

Is that the final lesson of our students’ education? If, in fact, the lesson was to demonstrate the meaning of hypocrisy, an “A” grade should be awarded. Finally, does putting the violation to music somehow mitigate the offense? Under no circumstance should this letter be construed as a criticism of the very talented performing students!

Toni Reading

Bothell