Bible program ad no longer displayed in Oregon public school (December 30, 2019)

A sign advertising a bible release time program is no longer displayed on Bethel School District property.

A district parent reported that last year Malabon Elementary School allowed a sign promoting a bible release time program to be erected on school property.

FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootunian wrote to Bethel Superintendent Chris Parra reminding the district that allowing bible release time programs to advertise to students in a public elementary school violates the Constitution. Courts have continually held that school districts may not display religious messages or iconography in public schools.

Parra responded by email informing FFRF that the district did not provide permission for the signage to be placed on public property and was not aware of its placement. There is no sign currently advertising the bible study placed on district property.

Freedom From Religion Foundation