Missouri
After being contacted by FFRF, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District has taken steps to ensure that students are not being preached to through the football program.
A district parent informed FFRF that a local pastor was given special access to students and used said access to preach and encourage students to attend bible study. The pastor identifies as an official staff member of the district, and according to his LinkedIn Profile, the pastor holds himself out as a football coach who “leads chapels and [is] involved with coaches/players daily lives,” and he additionally admits to using his coaching position at LSNHS as grounds to advance his ministry.
“When [this pastor] is acting on behalf of the district, either as an official staff member or as a volunteer, he may not promote his personal religious beliefs to students, or encourage them to attend religious events or clubs,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district.
The district’s legal counsel, W. Joseph Hatley, addressed FFRF’s concerns in full. “Following the receipt of your letters, the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources . . . conducted a thorough investigation into your allegations under my direction,” Hatley wrote. Hatley also detailed several changes, including changing the names of Friday afternoon meetings before football games to something other than “Chapel,” ensuring that the pastor will not initiate discussions of religion or participate in student-led religious clubs.
