OK superintendent won’t pray to students at school (April 2024)

After an egregious violation of the Constitution, FFRF took action that would keep the Oklahoma school children safe from a proselytizing public official.

On Feb. 28, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters visited Riverside Elementary School to observe, meet with students, and to read to a second-grade class. Before reading to the class, Walters led the students in prayer delivered explicitly to God.

FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district about the unconstitutional prayer.

Legal representative Bryan K. Drummond wrote back to FFRF about the prayer, informing it that the district was unaware that this would happen. “The administration and I have spoken about ensuring that this does not happen in the future and the administration is committed to ensuring that the law is followed,” Drummond wrote.

Freedom From Religion Foundation