Florida
The Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Fla., will no longer allow outside representatives to preach to a district football team.
FFRF learned that Oak Ridge High School was permitting an outside representative of the Central Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes to lead the football team in religious worship.
“Oak Ridge HS, and thus the district, has violated students’ First Amendment rights by allowing [an FCA representative] to evangelize students and intertwine the school’s football program with Christianity,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.
The district’s general counsel, John C. Palmerini, informed FFRF that he had emailed the district guidance on the situation. In his response to FFRF, he included the email he sent referencing the practice of an outside representative leading students in prayer.
“To the extent the coaches of the Oak Ridge High football team allowed such practice, it needs to cease immediately as it is in violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause,” Palmerini wrote.
