Georgia —
In May 2024, a concerned parent reported that the district had organized, sponsored and promoted a religious baccalaureate ceremony for students. A Facebook post from the district’s official page posted photos from the event, which included a keynote address from the DHS 9th Grade Academy principal. The post detailed the principal’s religious message, in which he warned against distractions, describing them as “tricks of the enemy designed to deter one from hearing the voice of God.” Further, the principal stressed that time “is a precious gift from God.”
“By sponsoring this baccalaureate ceremony and then promoting its religious media on its official Facebook page, the district demonstrates clear favoritism toward religion over nonreligion, and Christianity above all other faiths,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district.
The district did not respond to FFRF’s initial letter, causing several more to be sent throughout the year. Finally, in January, legal representative Cory O. Kirby from the Pereira, Kirby, Kinsinger & Nguyen law firm contacted FFRF. “Dr. Williams, superintendent, has met with 9th Grade Academy personnel to discuss the changes required for baccalaureate next year,” Kirby wrote. “Those changes include no school employee active involvement.”
