JONESVILLE, Va. — Blue t-shirts filled the Lee County Board of Education meeting room Tuesday night. The front of their shirts read clearly, surrounding the image of praying hands: “Some things you just can’t stop.”

The group represented many in the community who were upset when, at a recent Lee High football game, the school wouldn’t allow a Christian prayer to be said over the intercom system because it would inflict one particular religious belief onto a public with diverse beliefs, or lack thereof. Student-led prayers that are separate from the public event were permitted.

But the group present at the board made it clear they believed their religious belief should be broadcast over the football stadium’s intercom.

Matthew Fox, who was with the group, gave a lengthy speech to the board regarding the matter.

“If I just sit back and don’t say nothing, it’s as much my fault as anybody’s,” said Fox. “Nobody will stop me from praying.”

Fox asked the board bluntly: “Can I ask you to take a stand?”

Board Chairman Ty Harber referred Fox to the board attorney, Gregory Edwards.

“I agree with what you’ve said. But there are nine men in Washington that don’t want it,” said Edwards, referring to the Supreme Court. He said that the school cannot allow their intercom system to be used for prayer. That would violate the Bill of Rights statute that guarantees everyone a right to practice his or her own religion, or lack thereof.

Harber said he would consider voting on a non-binding resolution supporting the right to say a prayer publicly at school, even though such a resolution would have no effect on policy.

Jan Mosley, director of nursing for Lee County Schools, gave an update on the health status of the school system. She said that on Tuesday there was a swine flu surge at Dryden Elementary School and 12 kids were out.

She commended the county’s efforts to curb H1N1.

“It’s a county-wide effort, and everybody’s doing a great job,” said Mosley.

Lee Co. Schools employee Chris Fee gave a presentation on efforts to step up security at all of the schools. Four to five cameras have been installed at schools at each location, monitoring the outside of the school buildings. Schools at Elydale, Ewing, and Rose Hill will be online within a week, stated Fee.

Fee said he would need 40-50 more cameras to cover all entrances and exits. Harber said they could get them.

Superintendent Fred Marion gave the enrollment report and said that attendance was 53 less than last year.

All of the board members met before the regular meeting in a room behind the stage.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.