Kansas
FFRF made sure to keep lunch menus in the Plainville USD 270 school system free from bible verses.
A school district parent reported that the monthly lunch menus for the schools occasionally contained bible verses and religious imagery. The November 2023 menu featured the quote, “1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks with a grateful heart,” and the December 2023 lunch menu included images of the biblical manger scene depicting the Christian story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
“In recognition of the district’s constitutional obligation to remain neutral toward religion and protect students’ First Amendment rights, we ask that the district ensure that its monthly lunch menus no longer include religious imagery or messages,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district in 2023.
Despite not initially hearing back, FFRF followed up with the district in October of this year, which prompted a response. “I personally visited with the food service director and have addressed the matter with her in great detail,” Superintendent Lisa Gehring wrote to FFRF. “All menus are now reviewed by the district office prior to them being distributed to assure this does not happen in the future.”
