4/11/23 - Portage Northern High School Graduation Will Go On As Scheduled

A judge has lifted a temporary restraining order preventing the school from holding graduation ceremonies on a Jewish holiday.

Portage Northern will keep its current graduation date in place while a lawsuit challenging the district on religious grounds moves forward.

In lifting a temporary restraining order, Judge Curtis Bell called it an extremely difficult case involving religious freedom with the freedom districts have to schedule non-education events. The case will continue in state and federal court.

A senior filed a lawsuit saying the district ignored requests to move the graduation date because it falls on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. The holiday is traditionally one of three major holidays in the Jewish religion.  In his ruling, Judge Bell stated that while he appreciated the religious needs of the student, he had to balance the decision with the needs of other students as this was not an educational activity and participation is not required.

Lawyers for the plaintiff say they plan to appeal. The case will continue in both state and federal court.

Graduation will take place on May 26.