Tennessee

FFRF has ensured that Tennessee’s Franklin County School District community members will no longer be subjected to Christian proselytization.

A parent informed FFRF that a principal at Broadview Elementary School in Winchester, Tenn., concluded a meeting with parents, teachers and students on Aug. 2 with Christian prayer. The complainant recorded audio of the prayer, which was addressed to the Christian god and which ended: “We pray to you father in heaven for your wonderful blessings and we ask those things in God’s name. Amen.”

FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi sent a complaint letter to Franklin County Schools Director Cary Holman noting that “government officials may not deliver an official, sectarian prayer to a captive audience.”

“Based on the recording, the principal acknowledged it was her voice,” Holman wrote back in a recent email. “I had my deputy director participate in the meeting with the principal. During this time, I provided the Tennessee Code referencing prayer in schools. The principal understands what is expected and will lead accordingly moving forward.” Holman closed by promising that all officials in the district would be reminded of the law.