A Chatsworth fifth-grader who was told he couldn't perform a song at his school's talent show because it had too many references to Jesus has reached a compromise with school officials.
Superior Elementary School officials originally denied the young man his performance of the Christian rock hit, "We Shine," on the grounds of too much "Jesus." The student was specifically asked to "pick a song that does not say 'Jesus' so many times."
On Wednesday afternoon, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines released this statement:
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is very pleased that all parties, the District, the PTA, and the legal representatives for the student were able to resolve the situation and come to an agreement so that the PTA program at Superior Elementary School can continue as planned on Friday with full participation by this student.
The parents of the student initially filed suit against the LAUSD for not allowing their son to participate in the Feb. 4 talent show, but according to the statement from Cortines, both parties have since reached an agreement.
According to the initial lawsuit, the boy auditioned before a panel of PTA members to land a place in the talent show.
A few days after his audition on Jan. 14, the fifth-grader's parents were informed that their son would not be allowed to perform in the show because of the religious nature of the song he chose, the Daily News reported.
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According to the lawsuit documents, Superior Elementary Principal Jerilyn Schubert said the dance routine was "offensive" and would violate the separation of church and state.
