An eighth-grade student in a New York public school district was reportedly initially denied the right to start an official Bible club despite meeting the school’s requirements. After the lawyers and First Institute of Liberty (FLI) got involved, the school informed Fox News Digital that it would officially start the club next week.

Waterville Jr./Sr. High School, part of the Waterville Central School District in central New York, previously told Elijah Nelson that it “could not have a school-sponsored club associated with a religion” and that it would not “officially” recognize, “fund,” or “sponsor” the Bible Club as it would any other club.

For the past two years, Nelson asked the district if he could start a Bible club to connect with classmates who share his faith. Although the school initially denied his request, school management later said the club could meet informally during lunch while a staff member supervised the students. The school also gave Nelson the opportunity to apply as an outside organization, allowing him to use the school’s facilities after hours.

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But, in a statement to Fox News DigitalSuperintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring said Thursday that the Waterville Central School District now plans to officially establish the Bible study club at next week’s school board meeting. She described the direction given to Nelson as “inaccurate.”

An eighth-grade student in a New York state public school district made headlines for his efforts to start a Bible club. (Godong Group/Universal Images via Getty Images)

“We strive to provide opportunities for all students to learn, grow and connect through a variety of activities, including student-run clubs,” she said. “In January 2024, inaccurate information was shared with a student regarding the possibility of officially starting a Bible study club and alternative options were offered to the group. Interest in starting the club was renewed in September 2024 and the students began meeting weekly in the library, which they have been doing ever since.”

“In accordance with district policy, the Board of Education, by resolution, will officially establish the Bible Study Club at its meeting on December 10,” she told Fox News Digital. “We appreciate the patience of our students and their families during this process.”

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In its initial refusal, the school said that officially recognizing the club would “unconstitutionally endorse” religion, but FLI, along with C. Kevin Marshall and Michael Bradley of the Jones Day law firm, sent a letter to district officials on Nelson’s behalf, arguing that denying his request was a violation of his civil rights and First Amendment freedoms. That’s according to a recorded phone call cited in the company’s letter.

The school, part of New York’s Waterville Central School District, previously told Elijah Nelson that it could not have a school-sponsored club associated with a religion, but the district appears to have changed course . (iStock)

In the letter, the lawyers said that rejecting Elijah’s application on the grounds of his inability to “endorse a certain religion” is “anachronistic and inappropriate”, adding that even though approval was once a feature of the clause of Establishment, a provision of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits the government from establishing a religion, is no longer the case. Now, the Establishment Clause “requires only that a secondary school operate with “neutrality” between religious and non-religious groups.

“Today, the Establishment Clause never requires – and never permits – the government to discriminate against religious observers and organizations when granting benefits,” the letter reads.

Pastor Daniel Nelson, Elijah’s father, told Fox News Digital that he didn’t understand why the school would treat religious children differently than others.

“It seems like the school could be more tolerant and welcoming to students who just want to get together to read the Bible and pray,” he said before this apparent turnaround.

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Close-up of a religious cross atop the pages of a Bible with the Constitution in the background. (Joebelanger)

Keisha Russell, lead attorney for First Liberty, initially told Fox News Digital that “it is wrong and illegal for a school to avoid a Bible club while promoting other clubs.”

Upon news of the school district’s announcement of the club, Russell said, “We haven’t heard directly from the school district, but we hope they do the right thing.”

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