FFRF complaint stops teachers’ prayer
Two Prattville Primary School teachers in Prattville, Ala., will no longer lead students in Christian prayer during the school day. FFRF received a report that one teacher led at least six classes in prayer while students were in the hallway on the way to lunch.
Staff Attorney Sam Grover sent the Autauga County School System a complaint letter Nov. 24. The school board’s attorney responded Feb. 27 that FFRF’s concerns had been “specifically addressed with the two teachers mentioned” and did not anticipate a continued problem.
‘Rogue speaker’ out in Nebraska
Elkhorn Valley View Middle School, Elkhorn, Neb., will ensure that future school assemblies are free from inappropriate religious content. Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent a letter of complaint March 2 about a Dec. 8, 2014, assembly about drug and alcohol awareness at which Pastor Servando Perales invoked God and Jesus many times.
FFRF’s complainant summarized the message her child received as, “If you don’t find God, then you’ll be a drug dealer and a criminal.”
Superintendent Steve Baker responded the same day, agreeing that the assembly had been inappropriate, claiming that it “went astray as the result of a rogue speaker.” Perales will not be invited back, Baker said.
Good news: Gideons get left behind
Jefferson County School District in Madras, Ore., will no longer allow the Good News Club to park a trailer at Warm Springs K-8 Academy. Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote to the district Feb. 16 after learning that the school board allowed the club to promote religion during school hours on school property. The Child Evangelism Fellowship states that club is to “evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ.”
An attorney for the district answered March 3, forwarding a letter the district sent to the club to inform it that allowing the trailer on school property was unconstitutional.
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After FFRF received a report that Gideons International distributed bibles to students at Holly Hill Elementary School, Enterprise, Ala., Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote a March 18 complaint letter.
“It is unconstitutional for public school districts to permit the Gideon Society to distribute bibles as part of the public school day. Courts have uniformly held that the distribution of bibles to students at public schools during instructional time is prohibited,” said Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel in a March 18 letter to the district.
Enterprise City Schools Superintendent Camille Wright responded the next day, saying she had notified all principals not to allow Gideons to distribute bibles on school grounds.
K-Life Ministries no longer welcome
Sheridan County School District #2, Sheridan, Wyo., will not let representatives from K-Life Ministries, a Christian youth organization, visit students during the school day. The group, based in Branson, Mo., is known nationally for insinuating its members into students’ space at lunch tables to discuss personal religious beliefs.
Superintendent Craig Dougherty responded March 9 to Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel’s Nov. 12 complaint letter: “You can be assured that K-Life representatives will not be allowed into the public schools during lunch to proselytize, talk to students or pass out literature.”
Letter remedies Okla. religious violations
Chandler Public School District in Chandler, Okla., has resolved several constitutional violations after getting a Jan. 30 complaint letter from Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel, who wrote to object to reports about school-organized prayers at football practices and other athletic events, as well as a teacher giving religious explanations for scientific matters and proclaiming the teacher “did not believe in science.” Crosses and other religious items were also being displayed in classrooms.
Superintendent Wayland Kimble responded March 9, saying the issues had all been resolved and that he did not foresee them resurfacing.
Bible verses by principal silenced
Principal Dan Noll, White Oak [Texas] High School, has stopped his practice of reciting bible verses during morning announcements over the intercom. The district originally doubled down after getting Staff Attorney Sam Grover’s complaint letter March 5. White Oak ISD Superintendent Michael Gilbert wrote in a statement that he was fully aware of the practice and, “we have not (in my opinion) violated anyone’s rights and/or subjected anyone to undue stress. Bible studies and scriptures are allowed in schools.” Gilbert’s recommended response to FFRF was, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I will be praying for you and your staff daily.”
Gilbert reconsidered later, however, according to a March 15 article in the Longview News-Journal. It quoted Gilbert saying that Noll’s “thought for the day” would remain a part of morning announcements but added: “It will consist of material intended to encourage students to consider positive choices in their daily life and plans for the future. The thought for the day will come from a variety of sources and will not include chapter and verse from Scripture.”
‘You’re a sinner’ video plug pulled
Palm Beach County School District in Florida has stopped making students watch a motivational speech by Christian evangelist Nick Vujicic. Boca Raton Middle School had required all students to watch one of Vujicic’s speeches. He also spoke at several other schools in the district.
Vujicic’s organization, Life Without Limbs, encourages visitors to its website to “become a Christian” and “understand and accept that you are a sinner.” The district reportedly also showed videos of his presentations to preschool and elementary students and had plans for future events.
Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel complained in a March 9 letter. An administrator responded March 16 that the district would “immediately cease sharing this video with our students.”
FFRF ends prayer at Ohio athletics
The St. Clairsville High School spring sports banquet in St. Clairsville, Ohio, did not include prayer, unlike its fall banquet, thanks to a Jan. 5 complaint letter from Staff Attorney Sam Grover. He sent the letter after learning that the St. Clairsville-Richland City School Board president reportedly led a sectarian invocation and benediction at the fall banquet.
FFRF’s complainant reported March 18 that the spring banquet had no prayer or mention of religion.
Church signs off L.A. school fence
Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a March 6 letter objecting to letting a church permanently post signs on the fence of University High School in Los Angeles. Vintage Church had been permitted to keep signs up around the clock for at least two years.
FFRF’s complainant reported March 20 that the signs had been taken down.
Christian WyldLife not oxymoron
A Chicago Public Schools teacher who regularly promoted weekly religious club meetings to students during instructional time will no longer be allowed to do so. A Greeley Elementary School teacher promoted meetings of WyldLife, a Christian club that meets in the school’s gym after the school day ends. WyldLife is sponsored by Young Life, an organization dedicated to “introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.”
The teacher also regularly invited students to bible study with his wife and other adults.
“A public school may not sponsor or provide preferential treatment to a Christian club,” said FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover in a complaint letter. The district responded that it advised the teacher he could not promote the club or bible study during the school day. In addition, FFRF received word on March 25 that all staff had been issued guidelines regarding religious clubs.
