Madelyn M. has two children in the local public elementary school. For the past three years, she has gone to Back-to-School Night, which is held in the Fall, usually the second week after school begins. In each of the three previous years, the evening opened with a prayer, something Madelyn, who claims no religious affiliation, found not only highly inappropriate, but offensive. Last year, right after Back-to-School Night, she decided to write a letter to the principal, voicing her objection to the prayer.

Just before school opened the following year, Madelyn received in the mail the regular school newsletter. Included in it was a message from the principal noting that there had been a few complaints about opening Back-to-School Night with a prayer. The newsletter also included a survey asking parents to respond how they felt about the issue.

On Back-to-School Night, Madelyn arrived punctually at the auditorium, and after the principal welcomed the parents, brought up the prayer issue, indicating that 82% of the respondents favored opening Back-to School Night with a prayer. He then informed those present that, despite the majority's wishes, instead of the traditional prayer, the meeting would begin with a "reverence," a spiritual thought given by one of the PTA officers.

Madelyn went home and has been sitting in front of her typewriter now for the past hour, trying to decide on the wording of her next letter.

Questions:

Should Madelyn complain to the principal again?

Should the other parents insist on returning to the prayer?

Should Madelyn take other action? What?