A Florida high school won’t be inserting religion into future school-sponsored events after receiving a legal warning from FFRF over a Christian prayer.
It was brought to FFRF’s attention that the assistant principal and athletic director at Middleton High School in Tampa, Fla., had called upon a staff member to deliver a Christian prayer at an athletic banquet on school property. The individual had asked his students and their parents to bow their heads as he delivered a prayer, thanking God for the food.
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a letter to Hillsborough County Public Schools Chief of Staff Alberto Vazquez on May 30, warning against the unconstitutional school endorsement of religion. Vazquez responded on June 19 to inform FFRF that an investigation had been launched over the violation. The athletic director has been retrained on the district’s policy to remain religiously neutral and inclusive.
