toledoblade.com --

DUNDEE - When Pat DeRoch began speaking to Dundee High classmates about the power of God's love, he believed he was offering help and insight to those who might need it.

But the impromptu lunch-hour speech led to a trip to the principal's office last week and a day-and a half suspension from school.

School officials say Mr. DeRoch, 18, was suspended because he violated a policy barring speaking in an open forum without permission. But the Dundee High senior and some of his classmates believe the discipline was too harsh.

"I feel there was an injustice done," he said yesterday. "From what the students tell me, they respect the things I say. Maybe I offended somebody, but nobody complained about it."

Mr. DeRoch said he regularly meets with a small Bible study group on Wednesdays, but last week believed his message deserved a larger audience. After consulting with other members of the study group, Mr. DeRoch decided to take his topic to the lunchroom.

There, he spoke uninterrupted for about 10 minutes, students said.

And just as he was guided from the lunchroom to the principal's office, Mr. DeRoch said he heard his classmates applaud in a show of support.

He began his suspension immediately and was back in school Friday.

"As soon as the principal came in and told me to stop, I did, because I'm not interested in being a rebel," said Mr. DeRoch, who plans to enter the ministry. "I just wanted to offer help to anyone who might want it."

Superintendent Bob Black said it was not Mr. DeRoch's topic but the manner in which he addressed students that broke school rules. He said any topic would have resulted in similar discipline.

"If you're imposing your will upon other people, that's not fair to other kids," Mr. Black said. "We wanted him to understand that this was not permissible, and that there are other ways to go about speaking his mind."

The American Civil Liberties Union legal director said students are free to talk about religion while at school. But different issues are raised when you have a captive audience, Michael Steinberg said.

"It's one thing if you're talking to a friend at a table, that's certainly protected speech," he said. "However, when you have a captive audience, there are concerns that students are forced to listen to something they don't want to."

Because students have few options outside of eating in the cafeteria, that makes them a "captive audience," he said. It is that point that school administrators must take into consideration, Mr. Steinberg said.

He said Mr. DeRoch's situation - suspended for speaking out in school - is the first in the state he has heard of.

The Rev. Ryan Nissley said he believes Mr. DeRoch was a victim of public school officials' fear of violating the concept of separation of church and state. Mr. Nissley, youth pastor at New Hope Assembly of God in Taylor, Mich., said while it is wrong for a principal or teacher to speak of God in public schools, students are not bound by similar rules. "As long it is student-initiated and it's not disturbing classroom time, it should be allowed," said Mr. Nissley, who is Mr. DeRoch's youth minister. "When students walk into a public school, they don't leave their rights at the door."

Students have a right to speak to classmates about their religious views, according to the Christian Law Association's Rights in Public Schools. The guidelines, compiled by Answers in Genesis Ministries International, says students may pray, organize Bible clubs, and even speak and write about religious topics, as long as the student adheres to all rules that apply to conduct and speech.

Mr. DeRoch's suspension meant an automatic failing grade on any assignment given and 2 percentage points per day taken off his final grade for each class.

Mr. DeRoch said he was asked to sign papers indicating he would not speak out about religious topics again but the school administration rescinded that request.

His mother, Lori DeRoch, said she was surprised by the punishment her son received. But she said she was proud of his actions and his convictions. "He felt he would be a hypocrite going into the ministry and not have been sharing his views with others prior to that," she said. "But I don't understand how people who smoke a cigarette are suspended for only one day, and here he is suspended for more without even a warning when he's always been a good kid."

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