FFRF stops coaches from praying with students in Indiana (Sept. 12, 2012)

After receiving a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Monroe High School in Alexandria, Ind., will no loner permit coaches to participate in or facilitate pre-game prayer.

In a May 23 letter to the Alexandria Community School Corporation, Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel cautioned, ā€œfederal law dictates government employees should refrain from actively participating in religious activities while acting within their governmental role to avoid any perception of government endorsement of religion . . .ā€

The superintendent responded on Sept. 12, assuring FFRF that the administration would instruct schools that they must comply with federal law. ā€œThe administration has undertaken measures to correct behavior by providing reference to our school policy and the case law . . . as well as your original correspondence to the building principals and athletic director.ā€

Freedom From Religion Foundation