FFRF learned that a football and track coach at Anna High School in Texas had participated in a See You at the Pole event on school property in September, which opened with prayer. Additionally, the school was advertising a See You at the Pole event in the banner of its webpage.
See You at the Pole is a Christian-oriented prayer rally organized each year around a bible verse. FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote to Superintendent Pete Slaughter on Oct. 27, informing him that the high school created the appearance that the district unconstitutionally endorses the event’s Christian message. Furthermore, the coach’s actions violated the Equal Access Act, which mandates that school staff may not participate in religious events with students.
Slaughter responded on Nov. 3 writing that he had addressed the violation with the coach.
