California public school won’t hold an event at a church (November 11, 2019)

A Chino Valley Unified public school will no longer hold an event inside a local church following an intervention by FFRF.

A concerned parent reported to FFRF that each year Chino Hills High School holds its Senior Awards Night at Inland Hills Church. The district had apparently contracted with Inland Hills Church for this purpose and was paying to use this space.

The use of churches for public school programming is inappropriate and unconstitutional, FFRF Attorney Chris Line pointed out to the district.

FFRF asked the district to no longer host school events at churches and instead select public facilities for all future events. The districtā€™s attorney sent a response to FFRF with assurances that the event has been moved.

ā€œBe advised that Chino Hills High School will not hold its 2019-2020 senior awards night at the Inland Hills Church,ā€ wrote Margaret A. Chidester, the districtā€™s attorney.

Freedom From Religion Foundation