Seniors at Exeter Union High School in California won't be having an opening prayer at their graduation ceremony on Friday. Instead, they'll just observe a moment of silence.

The school board says it cannot afford a drawn-out legal battle and made the decision because of letters from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League - sent letters to the district objecting to a graduation prayer.

"The founding fathers never dreamed that the few that did not worship God could force everyone else to stop," The Fresno Bee quoted one local preacher's thoughts.

Many parents and students said they were disappointed by the board's decision. The high school has been including a prayer in their graduation ceremonies for decades.