FFRF stops DeSoto schools' football prayers (Aug. 22, 2011)

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has put an end to several forms of unlawful school prayer in DeSoto County, Miss., after the school board voted to reaffirm and follow its eight-year-old written policy against such prayer.

FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt wrote an Aug. 10 letter to Superintendent Milton Kuykendall, strongly advising him to end the illegal prayers taking place before sporting events, school lunches and commencement ceremonies. All of the prayers were Christian-based and some were broadcast over the school's loudspeaker.

"Our current policy is not to have prayers in football games and we're going to abide by that which we believe the law to be," said Keith Treadway, school board attorney. "We will not have prayer over the PA. The principals have all expressed they are aware of the law and intend to abide by it,” Treadway stated in an interview the DeSoto Times Tribune.