No MATC Classes On Good Friday Prompts Possible Lawsuit
MATC Says It Didn't Break Any Laws
Updated: 8:56 am CDT April 11,2009
MADISON, Wis. -- A national group based in Madison that sues over separation of church and state matters said it might file a federal lawsuit against Madison Area Technical College for canceling classes on Good Friday.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe Freedom From Religion Foundation said MATC is one of 15 technical state colleges that get taxpayer money where the teachers were given the Christian holiday off.At issue is whether such taxpayer-funded colleges like MATC can cancel classes when a judge in 1996 specifically forbade state recognition of Good Friday as a holiday.It's a case that could end up in court, championed in part by one older part-time MATC student.Seven years ago, Ken Opin of Madison lobbied for a union that includes the MATC fulltime teachers.Now, he's retired and enjoying painting, in part by taking an oil painting class every Friday at MATC.However, on Friday -- Good Friday -- his class and every other at MATC and its regional campuses were canceled.Exactly why classes were canceled is the key question."It would be a very good Friday for us if the law were being followed," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, chuckling.While Christians all over the state recognized Good Friday by going to church, Gaylor and her group are alleging that MATC -- and 14 other state technical colleges -- did the same by canceling all classes.The group said that violates a federal judge's ruling 13 years ago that struck down as unconstitutional a state law recognizing Good Friday as a holiday.Officials with MATC said they're not breaking any laws and disagree with the group's claims."Our understanding of what the judge declared is Good Friday cannot be a legal holiday in the state of Wisconsin, and we are not declaring it a legal holiday here either," said Terrance Webb, vice president of MATC Learner Success.MATC officials said they are only following the teachers' negotiated contract. It includes "non-instructional days" where teachers don't teach, usually for specific reasons like final exam grading or professional development.April 10, the Friday before Easter, is also a non-instructional day, but with no specific reason attached, WISC-TV reported.Some, including Opin, said they believe the reason is clear -- and unconstitutional."Well it sounds to me like it's quacking like a duck, and I think it's a duck," Opin said.Opin said he isn't opposed to teachers having paid holidays. In fact, he championed that for years. But he said a contract can't override the Constitution."The Constitution is more important than a union contract, and they have it backwards," Gaylor said.The result, Gaylor claims, is that MATC is sending a message to students that they should honor a Christian holiday by not going to class. Gaylor said that illegally favors one religion over another, and religion in general.However, MATC remains adamant that it is in compliance with the law.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe Freedom From Religion Foundation said MATC is one of 15 technical state colleges that get taxpayer money where the teachers were given the Christian holiday off.At issue is whether such taxpayer-funded colleges like MATC can cancel classes when a judge in 1996 specifically forbade state recognition of Good Friday as a holiday.It's a case that could end up in court, championed in part by one older part-time MATC student.Seven years ago, Ken Opin of Madison lobbied for a union that includes the MATC fulltime teachers.Now, he's retired and enjoying painting, in part by taking an oil painting class every Friday at MATC.However, on Friday -- Good Friday -- his class and every other at MATC and its regional campuses were canceled.Exactly why classes were canceled is the key question."It would be a very good Friday for us if the law were being followed," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, chuckling.While Christians all over the state recognized Good Friday by going to church, Gaylor and her group are alleging that MATC -- and 14 other state technical colleges -- did the same by canceling all classes.The group said that violates a federal judge's ruling 13 years ago that struck down as unconstitutional a state law recognizing Good Friday as a holiday.Officials with MATC said they're not breaking any laws and disagree with the group's claims."Our understanding of what the judge declared is Good Friday cannot be a legal holiday in the state of Wisconsin, and we are not declaring it a legal holiday here either," said Terrance Webb, vice president of MATC Learner Success.MATC officials said they are only following the teachers' negotiated contract. It includes "non-instructional days" where teachers don't teach, usually for specific reasons like final exam grading or professional development.April 10, the Friday before Easter, is also a non-instructional day, but with no specific reason attached, WISC-TV reported.Some, including Opin, said they believe the reason is clear -- and unconstitutional."Well it sounds to me like it's quacking like a duck, and I think it's a duck," Opin said.Opin said he isn't opposed to teachers having paid holidays. In fact, he championed that for years. But he said a contract can't override the Constitution."The Constitution is more important than a union contract, and they have it backwards," Gaylor said.The result, Gaylor claims, is that MATC is sending a message to students that they should honor a Christian holiday by not going to class. Gaylor said that illegally favors one religion over another, and religion in general.However, MATC remains adamant that it is in compliance with the law. Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
