Meigs County school discontinues religious programs (February 21, 2019)

A Meigs County school has assured FFRF that unconstitutional religious programs will not continue after a complaint that its former coach was promoting religion to players.

FFRF wrote to Meigs Local School Superintendent Scot Gheen after a concerned parent reported that the high school football coach was taking his team to devotionals at a church before every football game and was playing Christian music during football practice.

The parents reported that players felt as though they had to attend these preaching sessions in order to be allowed to play.

FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line urged that the district investigate these investigations and take immediate action to stop all coach-led religious activities occurring within any district athletic programs.

The coach in question has since resigned but the district writes that it will ā€œbe sure that future coaches are aware of the boardā€™s policy, practices and expectations related to First Amendment freedoms.ā€

Freedom From Religion Foundation