Florida —
The Escambia County Public Schools system in Pensacola, Fla., has taken corrective action to ensure that future senior graduation breakfasts will not include a prayer before the event, after the principal “blessed” the food at a May gathering.
A local parent reported that on May 18, West Florida High School’s principal led students in prayer at a school-sponsored senior grad breakfast. The parent stated that while students were congregating in the school’s gym before the breakfast and ceremony rehearsal, the principal announced that “before we eat breakfast, we are going to bless our food real quick.” She then allegedly asked students to “bow their heads,” and then she blessed the food, blessed the students and blessed their families. The parent further explained that “many students found [the prayer] odd and misplaced. Even stranger as it was in the gym before the food was present.” Finally, the students reportedly felt that participating in the prayer was mandatory.
“Even if the principal had told students that the prayer was voluntary, that would not fix the situation,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote. “Voluntariness is not a safeguard against violating students’ First Amendment rights.”
After receiving the letter, Superintendent Keith Leonard conducted an investigation into the situation. Leonard wrote, “I have provided direction regarding appropriate next steps. The district remains committed to safeguarding the constitutional rights of all our students.” Leonard also stated that he would address the matters with all administrators during an upcoming annual pre-school administrative conference and through ongoing professional development sessions throughout the year.
