A Georgia school will no longer allow employees to pray with students or force students to pray at events after it was reported that David Turpin, an employee at Stephens County High School, had been praying with students as part of the high school’s JROTC events. It was also reported that Turpin required multiple cadets to pray before a school-sponsored meet that took place at the school. Turpin is a district employee who is listed on the school’s website as part of the JROTC program.
FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line insisted that the district must make certain that school programs and activities do not include prayer and that none of its employees are unlawfully and inappropriately indoctrinating students in religious matters by leading prayer, encouraging them to pray, or setting aside time for prayer.
Counsel for the Stephens County School system informed FFRF that the administration is convinced that “Mr. Turpin understands the issues concerning the First Amendment as it relates to the freedom of religion and the Establishment Clause.”