If you read the linked article, apparently the school had an existing policy barring recognizing a particular religion or prayer in school ceremonies, but it was only selectively enforced. Probably using common sense. My guess, this girl's main accomplishment will be the barring of any and all religious references of any kind in school ceremonies. ...................................
The Jonesboro Public School District does have a policy on religious beliefs and school ceremonies.“Our policy is to not recognize any particular religion and not to recognize religion, period,” said Mixon, “In this case, the student was on the school program as giving a prayer, and that does go against our policies.”
“I'm here to tell you that God is someone, that he is amazing,” said Reed during her speech, “He will love you through everything. He will praise you when you are down. All you have to do is give your heart to Him. And before we leave, I want to give you that opportunity.”
But Mixon says it's a policy that will be enforced and a problem that won't happen again.
“It has occurred from time to time that students speak their mind about religion, or about prayer at graduation. The problem comes when the school recognizes that,” said Mixon, “And we had a lapse where our policy about prayer was apparently not followed that is still being investigated, but we can assure the ACLU and the public that that will not happen again.”
The School Board, however, is simply not entitled to have a policy on religion. That would be unconstitutional behavior and actionable in court.