Oklahoma
FFRF worked to put a stop to multiple violations of students’ First Amendment rights in the Achille Public Schools district.
A district parent reported that the district implemented a policy allowing teachers to read bible verses at the beginning of their classes. FFRF learned that the policy applied to both Achille Elementary and Achille High School. The parent-complainant stated that the district informed students at the beginning of the school year that there would be “optional bible verse readings in all of their classes.” For example, the complainant’s child’s history teacher began classes by picking a bible verse for the day and asking a student to read the verse to the class, which had no bearing on the actual subjects being taught and were a blatant way to teach public school students the bible in a devotional manner.
FFRF’s complainant additionally reported that the district had a custom and practice of beginning each school day with “mandatory student-led prayer” over the schools’ intercom systems. The complainant stated the policy has been in effect, at least informally, for years. An official agenda from the Board of Education’s Oct. 14, 2024, meeting reported that the board considered whether to “approve or not approve” a “school policy on Voluntary Private Prayer and Moment of Silence.” Reportedly, after the morning bell, a student announced “a moment of silence or prayer,” followed by the student praying over the intercom. This morning intercom prayer had been taking place in both district schools, and that students cannot skip the morning prayer since it occurs after the first period has already started, so students are “counted late” if they arrive after the prayer.
“The district must cease permitting teachers to give students bible lessons and it must ensure its schools refrain from coercing students to observe and participate in school-sponsored prayer,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
Superintendent Rick Beene emailed FFRF, assuring FFRF that district schools would be in compliance with both the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution and laws. “We have discussed these concerns and these issues have been addressed,” Beene wrote. “Through meeting with both building principals, I have made it clear that we want to make sure that no student is coerced into doing any religious activity.”
