Trustee assails Christian prayer at meetings

The 10-year-old custom of allowing a prayer at the opening of meetings of Madera Unified School District trustees has drawn public fire.

One school board member at Tuesday evening’s board meeting strongly criticized the practice as did one member of the audience.

The objections did not target the prayer itself but rather the fact that thus far, only Christians have offered prayers at the opening of MUSD board meetings.

After Chaplain Ron Giovannoni, representing Madera’s Youth for Christ, offered a prayer at Tuesday night’s meeting during the public comment portion of the meeting, a citizen, John Seybold voiced his objection to having only Christian ministers deliver the prayers...