School disbands prayer group

GEORGETOWN, S.C., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A South Carolina woman has been told she can no longer lead a student prayer group or hand out Bible verses at Georgetown High School.

Violet Infinger told The Myrtle Beach Sun News she has been meeting with students for prayer before the start of the school day for more than 10 years. Infinger has a long association with the school, which her daughter attended and her granddaughter now attends.

She said Celeste Pringle, the assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum, told her she could hand out religious literature only outside the school gate.

"No way could you have time to pray with kids outside the gate. It's not possible, and it's not safe,'' Infinger said. "This has been a total shock. I enjoy going and being with the kids and talking to the kids."

Pringle said school officials were not aware of what was going on until a recent phone call from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. She said a lawyer said the group had received a report of a woman handing out religious tracts on school property.

Superintendent Randy Dozier said the district allows students to form religious clubs and to receive religious instruction. He said Infinger's informal group did not have authorization to meet.

Infinger says she had authorization from a former superintendent.