Iowa —
FFRF’s work paid off in the Newton (Iowa) Community School District after a middle school removed religious items from a classroom.
A concerned parent reported that an instructor of Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates at Berg Middle School was using his position to promote his personal religious beliefs to students. The parent reported that the teacher displayed religious iconography in his classroom, including a Christian cross and a poster of the Last Supper. The instructor in question was listed as a staff member at Berg Middle School.
“It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for the district or its agents to display religious imagery on school property in clear view of students and other employees because it conveys government preference for religion over nonreligion,” FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow Kyle J. Steinberg wrote.
FFRF’s letter was met with a response from District Superintendent Tom Messinger, who agreed with FFRF’s sentiments that the district is constitutionally required to remain secular. “Upon reviewing your letter, we reviewed the matter in accordance with district policies and procedures,” Messinger wrote. “In response to that review, we made contact with the individual and directed him to come to the school and remove items from the classroom which could be perceived by students as sponsorship of a particular religion or religion in general.” Messinger also informed FFRF that the district planned to review the Establishment Clause with relevant and other personnel to remind them of their responsibilities and to comply with them.
