JEFFERSON TWP — Even though a parent claimed Wednesday at the Knoch School Board meeting that the prayer said by a board member at the beginning of each district board meeting is illegal, the board president vowed the longtime practice will not be eliminated from the agenda.

Tim Danehy, a parent and former school board candidate in the district, used the public comment session to tell the board that the invocation at each meeting violates the establishments clause in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and therefore is illegal.

“And it is the same constitution that all nine school board members took an oath to uphold,” Danehy said. “So I’m concerned that if this goes on, you’re not only continuing to break the law, you’re breaking your oath as well.”