Ohio —
After hearing from FFRF, the Sylvania Schools System in Ohio agreed to ensure that any future guest presentations would not push religious content onto students.
A district parent reported that Highland Elementary School held an assembly on Sept. 23, 2025, where a musician talked about their career. During the assembly, the musician played a music video of theirs which included lyrics such as, “So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den, give me hope like Moses in the wilderness, give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense,” and “I’m gonna stand up, step out when you call, Jesus, Jesus.” The assembly was reportedly mandatory and parents were not notified that Christian music would be played to students.
“The school’s actions unconstitutionally coerced students, such as our complainant’s child, into listening to Christian music as part of an official school-sponsored assembly that they were explicitly, or at least impliedly, required to attend,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote.
FFRF received an email response from Assistant Superintendent Tim Zieroff, addressing the concerns raised in FFRF’s letter. Zieroff confirmed that some of the songs performed included Christian references within the lyrics, but also added that the speaker never discussed religion or promoted their religious views. “That said, we recognize the importance of ensuring that all guest speaker experiences are appropriate for students and consistent with constitutional requirements,” Zieroff wrote. He concluded the email by listing newly implemented protocols for district guest speakers, which include screening any potential viewing materials, and enforcing that no part of future presentations are allowed to push religion onto students.
