Joplin School District to pay damages, lawyer fees in suit

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- A federal judge has ordered the Joplin School District to pay $1 in damages as well as attorney fees in a lawsuit against them over two 2015 field trips to a Christian-focused community center.

The Joplin Globe reports Judge Douglas Harpool ordered the district on Thursday to pay the fees for the parent of two district students who won a lawsuit over field trips to Victory Ministry and Sports Complex.

Harpool ruled on March 9 in favor of the unidentified parent, who claimed that the North Middle School field trips violated the First Amendment.

The district said the trips were secular and meant to reward students for good behavior. But the court said students heard religious messages at public expense.

The judge also prohibited the district from conducting future school-sponsored activities at Victory or "any other religious venue."