Deposition scheduled for Victory Ministries officials in field trip lawsuit

A 10 a.m. Monday December 21, date has been scheduled for depositions of officials with the Victory Ministries and Sports Complex as part of the lawsuit filed by Jane Doe and her children against North Middle School Principal Brandon Eggleston and Joplin R-8 Interim Superintendent Norm Ridder.

Barring any changes, the depositions will take place at the law offices of Blanchard, Robertson, Mitchell, and Carter in Joplin.

According to documents filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jane Doe's lawyers are asking the Victory Ministries officials to bring their policies concerning "prayer and other religious activities," any communications with Joplin school officials, and information on any previous field trips to the complex.

The lawsuit was filed after a May 7 North Middle School field trip to Victory and was originally filed against Eggleston and former Superintendent C. J. Huff. Since Ridder is now making the decisions for the school district, he has been designated as the defendant.

The petition alleges the school officials violated the Does' First Amendment rights and asks for preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent any future excursions to Victory or other religious facilities.