Missouri
FFRF earned a victory in the Missouri-based Mansfield R-IV School District after a religious event was held on school grounds.
A concerned community member informed FFRF that the district led students in prayer at a “See You at the Pole” event on Sept. 25, 2024. “See You at the Pole” is an explicitly Christian event and organization. After the large group prayer, teachers, students and outside priests formed small groups where they worshiped and prayed together, which were led by teachers and staff. A teacher reportedly also presented on Christianity and faith to students after small group worship. The district additionally used its official Facebook account to tout the religious event.
“Any religious events must be entirely student-initiated and student-run,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote. “While the District cannot prohibit students from organizing or participating in a prayer event, the Supreme Court has stated that public school staff members and outside adults must refrain from participating in the religious activities of students while acting within their governmental roles.”
District Superintendent Clint Hall wrote back, informing FFRF of the solution. He wrote, “In order to address any concern about the district’s involvement in the FCA student group, I have spoken with the supervisor of FCA regarding the parameters that are appropriate for religious, non-curricular, student-initiated groups and their activities.”
