Teacher Suspended for Defying Moment-of-Silence Law

On the first day of school, Brian Bown’s American government class listened to a lecture while the rest of the school observed a state-ordered moment of silence.

He was suspended Tuesday for refusing to comply with the law, which he says is unconstitutional. Legislators pushed the bill as a first step toward getting prayer back in schools.

“What I have to say is very important to say, and they’re not taking a minute from me,” said Bown, a teacher at South Gwinnett High School in suburban Atlanta.

Classes started Monday at many schools in Georgia, and that was the first time many teachers had to order their students to sit quietly for up to one minute at the beginning of the day. The law took effect July 1 and was enforced during summer school in some districts.

Similar measures are on the books in other states, although Georgia appears to be alone in strictly enforcing a mandatory moment of silence.

Supporters of the Georgia law said it would help students reflect on their activities. Opponents said it was an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling against organized prayer in public schools.

Most of Bown’s students paid attention to him during the moment of silence Monday. One student, sophomore Kelly Stock, bowed her head in prayer.

Gwinnett County Supt. George Thompson told Bown that he would be fired if he didn’t comply.

“I think it is divisive when an American government teacher openly violates the law in front of students. It could encourage them to do the same thing,” Thompson said.

On Tuesday, Bown told Principal Delores Hendrix that he still would not comply with the law, then left the building. Berney Kirkland, spokeswoman for the school district, said Bown was suspended with pay. A hearing on Thompson’s recommendation to fire him will be held within 10 days.

“Mr. Bown’s the best teacher in this school,” said Justin Paul Grogan, a senior. “He’s standing up for what he believes in.”