Area teenager sues Everett School District
Published 11:16 am Monday, March 3, 2008
A teen is suing the Everett School District and officals, saying her Jackson High School wind ensemble wasn’t allowed to play a version of “Ave Maria” at graduation because officials felt it was too religious for the school sanctioned event.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Kathryn Nurre, 18, said the Everett School District and Superintendent Carol Whitehead violated her right to free speech in banning the group from playing the song.
Nurre played alto saxophone in an ensemble at Jackson High School, where seniors select a favorite piece of music to play during commencement.
“Neither the district nor Dr. Whitehead have been served regarding the lawsuit so there is nothing to be said about it,” Everett School District spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said in an e-mail.
