Kansas
The Baxter Springs Public Schools system in Kansas corrected three violations wherein a staff member was openly using religion in an attempt to proselytize other staff members and students.
A district employee informed FFRF that the Central Elementary administration plays exclusively Christian music over the school’s loudspeaker. Additionally, the school’s principal refused to adopt preferred pronouns or preferred names because he believes that students should be called by their “God-given name.” The faculty restroom was also replete with Christian scripture.
“To respect the rights of students, the district must ensure that secular music plays over the intercom, and not religious Christian music,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district.
“The district must also ensure that staff are aware that intentionally misgendering students constitutes unlawful sex discrimination and can be grounds for termination.” The district’s superintendent, David Pendergraft, emailed FFRF after receiving the letter. He laid out the three complaints, and what had been done. The district removed the scripture posted in the staff bathroom the day the district received the letter, the principal had no problem addressing the issue of the music, and he reiterated that if someone had a concern or felt uncomfortable, they were welcome to visit with him. Pendergraft also invited FFRF to contact him again should violations occur in the future.
