Pocola school official sues district over prayer at meetings

Wednesday, April 12th 2006, 5:43 am

By: News On 6

POCOLA, Okla. (AP) -- A longtime Pocola school official is suing the school district in an attempt to stop a Christian-based opening prayer held at mandatory school staff meetings.

In his lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Frank Makinson alleges he has been ridiculed for objecting to the prayer sessions.

Makinson's attorney Robert Haupt says some of the prayers are led by the high school principal, who also is a Baptist minister. He says the prayers are often lengthy and laden with references to Jesus.

Haupt says the prayer sessions violate the First and Fourth Amendments. He's not seeking monetary damages, just a stop to the practice of praying before mandatory meetings.

Makinson has worked for the Pocola Public School District since 1990 as a teacher, principal and, currently as the federal programs coordinator.