Florida —
“The Seminole County Public Schools system in Florida made sure that two schools would no longer be giving preferential treatment to two local churches through sports teams and signage, thanks to FFRF’s advocacy.
FFRF received reports of continued instances of Action Church representatives being granted access to public school students and facilities. Action Church appeared to have a recurring presence at the Friday games with the Hagerty High School football team. Several Facebook posts from the Action Church – Community Benefit Facebook page detailed Pastor Ben DiLecce “serving” the Hagerty High School football team, or “sharing an encouraging word.” One post from Oct. 23, 2025, showed student-athletes kneeling in front of the pastor.
Additionally, FFRF learned that Authentic Church was leaving a large sign on Winter Springs High School property outside of the church’s rental hours. The sign read, “This way to Authentic Church,” and the community member that reported the sign sent FFRF a photo of the sign when the church was not using the school.
“As the district is aware, public schools may not show favoritism toward religion over non-religion, or one religion over all others,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
Due to FFRF’s letters, the district took action to correct the violations. In an email from the Seminole County Public Schools Staff Attorney Kalae Menard, Menard confirmed that the assistant superintendent retrained the principals of Winter Springs High School and Hagerty High School. There was also a meeting for the principals of each of the district’s principals held at the district office in January 2026. “At that time, the principals were retrained on the district’s policies related to engagement with religious groups and board policy. . . Moreover, the assistant superintendent of high schools has been directed to work with the principals of Winter Springs and Hagerty to inform Action Church and Authentic Church of the district’s policies related to engagement with religious groups.””
