The Freedom From Religion Foundation is pleased to report that the Carroll County School District, Ga., has issued a statement determining that Villa Rica High School “failed to follow district facility usages procedures for outside groups using school facilities,” in permitting a coach to invite the Villa Rica First Baptist Church to perform mass baptisms in a black utility tub on the football field before practice.
FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell sent a letter, FFRF’s second this year to the school district, addressing the egregious nature of this proselytizing event on the school football field.
Previously, FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler sent a letter over promotion of a religious baccalaureate at Mount Zion High School, and a student informed FFRF that the school had made appropriate changes.
“We are pleased that the school district has publicly affirmed its commitment to keep religion out of public school events, and concurs that the bizarre baptisms crossed the line,” said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
“We would hope that the staff members who participated would be reprimanded and carefully monitored in the future, and that the district would send out a memo reminding district employees that they may not engage in devotional events with students in our public schools,” said Gaylor.
FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with more than 23,000 members, including over 400 members and a chapter in Georgia.
