A Jesus portrait was taken down Wednesday, after being hung in a southern Ohio public school district building since 1947 due to concerns of the potential costs of a federal lawsuit to the American Civil Liberties Union.

The superintendent of Jackson City Schools said the decision was made after the insurance company of district declined to cover litigation expenses. The faculty adviser and two student members of the Hi-Y Club, a Christian-based service club took it down by his orders.

"At the end of the day, we just couldn't roll the dice with taxpayer money," Superintendent Phil Howard told The Associated Press. "When you get into these kinds of legal battles, you're not talking about money you can raise with bake sales and car washes. It's not fair to take those resources from our kids' education."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit on behalf of a student and two parents, calling the portrait an unconstitutional promotion of religion in a public school.

The identities of the student and parents were kept a secret by the groups, due to the possible backlash they may face from those that supported the Jesus portrait being up. Some have even suggested that they should leave town and find another school.

ACLU spokesman said the school revealed its decision at a federal court hearing Tuesday in Columbus.

"The case is still open; there was no actual ruling (by the court)," spokesman Nick Worner said. But he added there would be no reason to pursue a court order if the portrait isn't put back up.