FFRF addressed two separate instances of coach-sponsored prayer in Rowan County Schools, prompting the district to remind district employees of their constitutional obligations.
First, a concerned parent of a Rowan County Senior High School band member contacted FFRF to report that the band was subjected to a group prayer as part of a mandatory practice last October. Then, separately, a parent reported that, last December, Rowan County Schools basketball coaches joined hands with players for an on-court prayer circle.
In both instances, FFRF Legal Fellow Colin McNamara wrote to the district, asking that it cease the practice of allowing adults to proselytize to its students.
The district’s response assures FFRF that “school district central office personnel have met with principals, coaches and other school-level personnel to remind them of their obligation to refrain from any actions which have the appearance of endorsing religion, even if unplanned and unintentional, while at the same time refraining from demonstrating open hostility toward the sincerely held religious beliefs of others.”
