Show Cluff Ruling on i School Houses II Comes to Light Decision Dedsion of 1923 That Buildings Buildings Buildings Build Build- ings in Utah Cannot Be Used for Religious Purposes Not Given Publicity When Issued Public school ool buildings In Utah cannot be legally used for religious gatherings either during or after atter school hours hour a according to an Opinion opinIon ion of Harvey II H. Cluff Cuff attorney general given to the state school authorities nearly ten months ago I but ut at their request not made public until toda today Reason for tor the request I of no publicity was not given I The opinion is said to be the most drastic of several se that have hare been I rendered on this question It was I first given in May 1923 later changed to a date In September or October and finally came to light today In his opinion Mr Ir Cluff reverts revert's to the constitutional convention members members mem mem- bers of which he declares fully understand understand understand un un- un- un the conditions he enunciates ates After citing excerpts from the state constitution and state statu statutes statues Mr 11 Cluffs Cluff's opinion asserts asserts' CONSTITUTION CLEAR These various provisions of the law Jaw and the constitution of this state make It perfectly clear that school boards cannot permit any religious organization to use the pJ property or buildings of ot the school where such Use tise would in any manner manner man man- ner ncr Interfere with or Impose upon the regular school work I r believe also these provisions make it clear that the school boards would have no authority to permit the use of school buildings or school property by any religious organization for tor re religious religious religious re- re purposes The questions on which the opinion opinion opinion ion is ts rendered were ore Is it illegal for the board of ot education education education edu edu- cation to permit union meetings to be held in the high school buildings on Sunday provided a reasonable rental is charged and the school board Incurs no expense in such use of ot buildings Is it ft Illegal to permit use of ot school buildings for Junior seminary classes after school has been dismissed dismissed dismissed dis dis- missed on school days provided the board incurs no expense in so doIng doing doing do do- Ing ALL RIGHTS SAFEGUARDED Frequent complaints have been made from tram various parts of ot the state over the alleged used of public schools for tor religious purposes Excerpts froth from the opinion follow The framers of our constitution have bave very ery wisely and properly sat eaf e e- e guarded the rights of ot the individual citizen of this state with reference to his or her religious belief bellet and have fully provided that that the public school system of ot the st state te shall not only be bo free tree to all classes but shall shaU be absolutely free from any religious ious or sectarian control These various provisions of the constitution and the laws of ot this state make it perfectly clear that school boards cannot permit any religious organization to use the property or buildings of ot the school where such use would In any manner manner manner man man- ner Interfere with or Impose upon the regular school work I 1 believe also these provisions make It clear that the school boards would have no authority to permit penult tho the use of ot school buildings or school property by an religious organization for religious purposes I MEETINGS PERMITTED I This does not mean that the I school building m may y not be used for meetings and functions of a general public character when such use will wUl not Interfere with the school and Is fully paid for I r fully tully appreciate the fact tact that In many of the outlying outlying outlying outly outly- ing districts of ot our state the people have taxed themselves to build a schoolhouse and are perhaps Unable unable un un- able ablo financially to o build a n house of or worship and therefore might be considered rightfully entitled to have the the privilege of using such schoolhouse for the purpose of ot worship worship worship wor wor- ship provided pro such use is fully arid and reasonably paid for and I regret egret being forced to arrive at any apy other conclusion but these conditions were well understood by the members members mem mem- bers of ot the tho constitutional convention convention conven conven- tion and realizing conditions In this state In that compact with the federal federal federal fed fed- eral government and the people the they adopted the provisions above re referred referred referred re- re to |