Utah —
FFRF’s persistence paid off in the Canyons School District after a violation that occurred in 2023 was finally confirmed to be corrected.
A district community member reported that, at a September 2023 board meeting, the board president invited a board member to say a prayer during the beginning of the meeting while board members were getting food. FFRF’s complainant reported feeling uncomfortable being subjected to a religious exercise at their public school board meeting.
“Calling upon students, parents and other board meeting attendees to pray is unconstitutional,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district.
After initially receiving a response from the district in 2023 agreeing to review the concern, FFRF requested more information about the board’s response throughout 2024. Finally, in January 2025, the district confirmed via email that the board of education no longer engaged in invocations at meetings.
