Alabama —
In Alabama, the Cullman County Schools District superintendent apologized to FFRF after a parent reported that their child received a bible at school, and promised to speak with district principals to prevent similar events in the future.
A district parent reported that on Sept. 15, Fairview Elementary School invited three men to enter their child’s classroom during instructional time to distribute bibles to students. Reportedly, their child’s teacher described the three men as “visitors,” implying that the men were not school district employees. The complainant-parent further stated that, according to their child, the three men asked each student to take a bible, so the child took one “because everyone else did.”
“It is unconstitutionally coercive for a public elementary school to permit outside adults to enter classrooms during instructional time in order to distribute bibles to young students who, like our complainant’s child, will no doubt feel pressured to take a bible whether they want one or not,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to District Superintendent Shane Barnette.
FFRF’s letter received an emailed response from Barnette, emphasizing that he wished to apologize to the parent personally for the event that occurred. “I will follow up with my principals and make sure they follow the Constitution in matters such as this,” Barnette wrote.
