A representative of Gideons International who thanked the West Haralson Elementary School faculty for inviting him to distribute bibles to fifth graders for 16 straight years will no longer be permitted to proselytize children in Tallapoosa, Ga.
“There is no excuse or justification for this practice,” wrote Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler on May 8. “It is unnecessary, offensive and illegal.”
In a July 29 response, incoming Superintendent Jerry Bell said he would advise administrators that distribution of bibles by Gideons or school employees was not permitted.