Tennessee
FFRF worked with the Lebanon (Tenn.) Special School District to ensure that bus drivers would not be allowed to play religious music while driving students to and from school.
A student’s parent reported that a bus driver in the district played a Christian radio station every day while driving students. Furthermore, the complainant stated that the Christian radio station directly countered what students were being taught about religion and morality at home.
“If the driver of bus wants to play music while driving students, there are a multitude of secular options to choose from,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “A public school and its bus drivers should be eager to set an example of acceptance and inclusion, especially for those students like our complainant’s children who do not belong to the majority religion.”
FFRF heard back from the school’s Director of Operations Mike Kurtz, who acknowledged receiving FFRF’s initial complaint. “At your request, this matter was addressed with all of those who drive and provide transportation to our students,” Kurtz wrote. Additionally, he extended the opportunity for FFRF to contact him directly if FFRF received additional information or complaints.
