FFRF turns violations into success stories

The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s legal team gets thousands of requests every year to look into potential state/church violations in schools and other government agencies. FFRF takes this role seriously . . . and it shows! After FFRF determines if there is a constitutional infraction, it initially sends out a letter to the organization, asking for the problem to be rectified. Often times, this is enough to get the offending group to end the violation or alter their actions going forward.

The following write-ups are from 30 recent successful outcomes (victories!) of FFRF’s initial letter contacts, organized by state and listed alphabetically.

By Greg Fletcher

California

FFRF was relieved to hear that Placer County in Auburn had not provided funding to a religious event focused on a “biblical focus” toward zoning.

A resident reported that the county was apparently involved with and sponsored an event entitled, “Making Affordable Housing Happen: A Biblical Focus from Advocacy to Zoning.” FFRF learned that the country distributed a flier for the event via official communications channels. Additionally, the flier listed “County of Placer” among other supporting organizations at the bottom of the flier, which implied that the county may have donated public funds to the event.

“It’s constitutionally problematic when the county sponsors and promotes a religious event, even if the focus of the event is a topic of community concern,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the county.

FFRF received a thorough response from Supervising Deputy County Counsel Renju Jacob. Jacob detailed the investigation, which included discussions with the Public Information Office staff, who confirmed that the event had thankfully not been promoted via official information channels. Additionally, while the county was listed as a sponsor of the event, county management confirmed that it did not authorize the event organizer, Placer People of Faith Together, to list the county’s name as a sponsor. “I do appreciate you bringing the concern to our office’s attention,” Jacob wrote. “During my discussions with management, I also  stressed the importance of not taking actions that would in effect be deemed a sponsorship of religion. Your concerns provided an opportunity to emphasize this point.”

California

The Hart-Ransom USD Board of Trustees in Modesto has agreed not to include a prayer before meetings by FFRF.

A district parent reported that the board had been beginning each of its meetings with a prayer led by one of the members, as well as official agendas listing an “invocation” at the beginning of meetings. The board reportedly asked attendees to participate in the prayer and that the prayers are specifically and uniformly Christian. FFRF’s complainant further explained that they are nonreligious, and the board’s opening prayer at the meeting they attended made them “extremely uncomfortable.”

“Students and parents, such as our complainant, have the right — and often reason — to participate in school board meetings,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “It is coercive, insensitive and intimidating to force nonreligious and minority faith citizens to choose between making a public showing of being non-Christian by refusing to participate in the prayer or else display deference toward a religious sentiment in which they do not believe, but which their school board members clearly do.”

After FFRF’s letter, district Superintendent Matthew Shipley responded to the concerns. “We have consulted with legal counsel regarding your concern,” Shipley wrote. “Future board meetings will no longer be opened with prayer. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.”

Florida

After students were given religious-themed beads by a teacher in the Pinellas County Schools system in Largo, Fla., FFRF made sure that the teacher understood her obligation to remain secular in her teaching.

A district parent reported to FFRF that a second-grade teacher at Azalea Elementary School distributed beads to her students as part of a class assignment to craft necklaces and bracelets for students to wear. The parent reported that one of the bead designs their child brought home included a Latin cross.

“The district has a duty to ensure that its teachers are not using their positions to promote their personal religious beliefs to students,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district.

After FFRF’s letter to the district, the School Board Attorney David Koperski worked with the teacher in question to ensure that the Constitution would be respected going forward. “There was certainly no intent to promote religion of any kind or use her classroom assignments to advance her religious beliefs,” Koperski wrote. “I spoke with her about the concern, and she understood the rules regarding the promotion of religion in her capacity as a public school teacher.”

Florida

The Lake County Schools will not allow special exceptions for tardy students attending a religious club, thanks to FFRF.

A concerned complainant reported that Lake Minneola High School may have been granting religious student clubs with preferential treatment. FFRF learned that a student-led bible club met on campus during school hours, and that club meetings often ran late. Reportedly, some of the high school teachers had a pattern and practice of excusing students in the club from being tardy if they arrived late to class, but FFRF learned that the same teachers do not excuse students’ tardiness if they are arriving late from other clubs or activities.

“Here, it appears Lake Minneola High School is favoring the bible club by permitting its members to regularly arrive to class tardy, while enforcing tardiness policies against students who are late to class for other reasons,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

The district was represented by Shareholder W. Scott Cole, who emailed FFRF. “In response to your letter, the school administration has reminded school personnel and students that all club meetings must end on time so that students will not be late for class and that students who are tardy must be marked as such regardless of which club meeting they were attending,” Cole wrote. He additionally thanked FFRF for bringing the violation to his attention.

Georgia

FFRF wrote a letter to the Gwinnett County administrator in Lawrenceville, Ga., after the county’s staff lunch was interrupted by a prayer given by a staff member.

A county employee reported that, in December 2023, the director of the county’s parks and recreation department led county employees in prayer before a staff lunch. The prayer was Christian and delivered “in Jesus’ name.” FFRF’s complainant reported feeling “ostracized and disrespected” by the inclusion of a Christian prayer as an official part of a county function.

“A county department cannot require or encourage its staff to observe or participate in a prayer as part of a county staff event,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the county administrator.

After nearly a year of FFRF’s efforts to hear back from the county, Senior Assistant County Attorney Allison B. Cauthen finally responded to the complaint. Cauthen informed FFRF that the concern was also brought to the attention of the Gwinnett County Department of Human Resources around the same time. “The situation was addressed, and we do not expect group led prayer at any future events,” she wrote.

Georgia

FFRF took on the particularly troublesome Lanier County School District in Lakeland, Ga., after multiple school- sponsored events were used to promote Christianity.

A district parent reported that the district had a pattern and practice of holding school-sponsored prayers at a wide variety of official school events. FFRF learned that since at least 2022, Lanier County High School’s athletics program had been infused with religion, specifically Christianity. The complainant reported that Lanier County High School held prayers at official athletic events, including football and basketball games, and that student-athletes were required to participate in these prayers. The prayers were uniformly Christian and led by either the school’s principal or the head coach for the relevant sport.

Additionally, the high school reportedly scheduled and hosted Christian prayers at its annual graduation ceremonies as well as other student award and honors ceremonies. FFRF learned of the 2024 graduation ceremony including a pre-planned official prayer led by a student with references to a “Father God,” and “Jesus.”

Lastly, per the Lanier County Board of Education meeting agendas, each meeting begins with an invocation led by a board member. The board members and all attendees are expected to participate in the prayer. The prayers were uniformly religious and typically Christian. The complainant stated that at one recent meeting, students from the district were invited to attend the meeting and were thus present for and expected to participate in the prayer.

“Here, Lanier County High School crossed the constitutional line by repeatedly scheduling official student-led Christian prayer at its graduation ceremonies,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “Moreover, Lanier County High School violated our complainant’s child’s First Amendment rights by requiring that student to choose between participating in a Christian prayer or not participating fully or at all in their own graduation ceremony.”

Brian C. Smith, an attorney from Pereira, Kirby, Kingsinger & Nguyen, contacted FFRF on behalf of the district. “Of course, the school district and the Board of Education want to include all citizens in its board meetings and allow all citizens to participate,” Smith wrote. “In the future, the board plans to discuss alternative possibilities including, inviting clergy to its meetings and a moment of silence.”

Georgia

The Gilmer County Schools Board of Education based in Ellijay will no longer feature an invocation to start board meetings after FFRF took action.

A Gilmer County Schools parent reported that the board had a pattern and practice of opening meetings with an invocation. FFRF’s complainant reported that the Nov. 11, 2024, board meeting began with an invocation delivered by a Christian pastor, and all attendees were asked to bow their heads in prayer. The board’s meeting agendas and minutes confirmed the invocation practice had been in place since at least 2022. The invocation appeared to uniformly be given by representatives of the Christian faith. Additionally, FFRF’s complainant stated that students were present at the Nov. 11 meeting as the board was recognizing and awarding certain students.

“As this situation demonstrates, students are asked to attend board meetings for a variety of reasons, including to receive recognition and awards from the board,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote. “It is coercive, embarrassing and intimidating for nonreligious or minority faith citizens to be required to make a public showing of their nonbelief or differing beliefs (by not bowing their heads or praying) or else to display deference toward a religious sentiment in which they do not believe, but which their school board members clearly do.”

FFRF received a letter from Cory O. Kirby from the Pereira, Kirby, Kingsinger & Ngyuen LLP law firm. “We have discussed this matter with the superintendent, who in turn has discussed it with the board of education,” Kirby wrote. “The Board of Education has agreed to begin providing a moment of silence at each board meeting.”

Georgia

FFRF fought to make sure that high school basketball players from the Whitfield County Schools system based in Dalton won’t be forced to attend an overtly religious meeting during practice time.

A district parent reported that the girls’ basketball team coach required all student athletes to participate in a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. FFRF learned that on Nov. 11, 2024, the coach took the girls’ basketball players into New Hope Middle School’s cafeteria for an FCA meeting that lasted approximately 15 minutes. FFRF’s complainant explained that the surprise FCA meeting occurred during the team’s normal practice time, and that the players and their parents were not told that the final 15 minutes of practice would include a mandatory FCA meeting. Reportedly, during the meeting, adult FCA representatives spoke to the team members about religion and distributed religious materials to basketball team members.

“It is inappropriate and illegal for a public school coach to require students to attend a religious club’s meeting,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.

Cory O. Kirby from the Pereira, Kirby, Kingsinger & Ngyuen LLP law firm responded on behalf of the district. “The administration has discussed this matter with [the coach] at New Hope Middle School as well as all other athletic coaches and administrators in the district,” Kirby wrote. “The district is confident that all its schools make good faith efforts to fully comply with the requirements of the Constitution and protects the rights of all parties.”

Georgia

FFRF worked to keep the Colquitt County School District in Moultrie secular after discovering that a teacher was using her position to preach Christianity.

A district parent reported that a teacher at Norman Park Elementary School was regularly leading students in prayer before meals. The parent stated that during a classroom party where parents and guardians were present, the teacher led students in a prayer saying “God is great, God is good, we thank him for our daily food. By his hand, we are fed. Thank him for our daily bread. Amen.”

Additionally, the same teacher gave her students a religious assignment that discussed Jesus Christ and Christianity in a devotional, sectarian manner. A worksheet of the parent’s child included a poem with multiple references to Jesus.

“The district must immediately investigate this situation and ensure that [the teacher] ceases leading students in prayer and teaching them religious lessons,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.

FFRF received word from the district that the situation would be investigated after winter break. When FFRF followed up on the matter, Superintendent Dan Chappuis stated that the matter was “investigated . . . and it has been addressed.”

Georgia

After learning of an ongoing violation of the First Amendment in Bleckley County Schools in Cochran, FFRF took action to fight for student rights.

A district employee reported that every school morning a bus driver led a devotional and prayer over the CB radio system while students and other BCS employees were present. FFRF also learned that the devotional prayer was always exclusively Christian in nature. FFRF’s complainant explained that BCS transportation policy required all bus drivers have their CB radios turned on and audible at all times, so drivers cannot turn down their radios in order to avoid broadcasting the devotional and prayer on their respective buses.

Per BCS policy, bus drivers are not allowed to use the CB radios for personal use, but the BCS administration was permitting this driver to openly violate official policy. The complainant stated that BCS administration ignored employee and student complaints and concerns regarding the daily prayers the bus driver broadcast to all other BCS school buses.

“BCS has a legal obligation to ensure its employees are not abusing their positions to indoctrinate students and promote their personal religion,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

FFRF received a response from Superintendent Trey Belflower. In his response, Belflower confirmed that the BCS transportation director had notified the driver in question, “and told him that if he is leading devotion and having prayer over his bus radio, he must stop doing so.” Belflower additionally promised that the transportation director will monitor the bus radio system to ensure the district is compliant with current policies and regulations.

Idaho

The Weiser School District #431 in Idaho has taken steps to ensure that student assemblies will not include prayer in the future.

FFRF learned from a concerned parent that Weiser Middle School’s Nov. 11 Veterans Day Assembly included a school-sponsored prayer. During the assembly, all students were directed to join in the prayer, which was then delivered by a guest speaker. FFRF’s complainant reported that their child felt “very uncomfortable” and felt that they “had to participate in the school prayer.”

“Weiser Middle School, and thus the district, continues to violate the First Amendment by including prayer at its official Veterans Day Assembly,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent Kenneth D. Dewlen.

After FFRF’s letter, Dewlen responded to address the concern. “Thank you for the letter; I have made the necessary arrangements for this not to happen again,” he wrote in an email.

Indiana

The Metropolitan School District of Wabash County in Wabash, Ind., learned not to include prayer in mandatory staff meetings after FFRF took action to protect non-Christian district community members.

A district employee reported that Superintendent Mike Keaffaber began mandatory staff meetings with a Christian prayer, delivered by him, while acting in his official capacity. FFRF also learned that at one staff training, a Christian motivational speaker who uses religion to inspire salespeople was invited to speak to staff. FFRF’s complainant reported that the speech felt like a “preacher giving a sermon” rather than someone giving a professional presentation, as the speech included his religious beliefs all throughout the speech. Additionally, the speaker distributed a book he had written, and the superintendent encouraged staff members to read it. The book contained several religious passages relating to the speaker’s belief in God.

“Requiring employees who are nonreligious or members of minority religions to make a public showing of being non-Christian by not participating in a prayer or sermon or else display deference toward a religious sentiment in which they do not believe is coercive, embarrassing, and intimidating,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the superintendent.

After FFRF sent the letter, the district reached out to Downs, Tandy & Petruniw, PC, who responded on behalf of the district. “You requested that we refrain from including prayer or religious speakers at future staff meetings,” M. Josh Petruniw wrote. “We have no plans to include prayer or religious speakers at future staff meetings.”

Iowa

FFRF took note when the Newton Community School District seemingly promoted prayer via a video posted on social media, and dutifully worked to ensure that the district understood its obligation to remain secular.

On Nov. 26, 2024, the Newton High School girls basketball team posted a “hype video” on its official Facebook account. While most of the video is unproblematic, the beginning of the video featured the entire team seemingly praying with the head coach present.

“Government religious speech promoting Christian viewpoints marginalizes and excludes non-Christian students, teachers, and parents whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the message being promoted by the school staff,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district.

Superintendent Tom Messinger took the time to respond to the complaint after reviewing the matter. “In response to that review, we removed the video from the social media account at issue,” Messinger wrote. “We will also take steps to ensure that social media accounts held by the district for student activities are not used to post messages that could be perceived by students as sponsorship of a particular religion or religion in general.”

Messinger additionally addressed the matter with the coach involved and relevant supervisory personnel, and reviewed the Establishment Clause with the entire athletics staff and directed them to comply with restrictions on participating in prayer with students.

Kansas

The Baxter Springs Public Schools system in Kansas corrected three violations wherein a staff member was openly using religion in an attempt to proselytize other staff members and students.

A district employee informed FFRF that the Central Elementary administration plays exclusively Christian music over the school’s loudspeaker. Additionally, the school’s principal refused to adopt preferred pronouns or preferred names because he believes that students should be called by their “God-given name.” The faculty restroom was also replete with Christian scripture.

“To respect the rights of students, the district must ensure that secular music plays over the intercom, and not religious Christian music,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district. “The district must also ensure that staff are aware that intentionally misgendering students constitutes unlawful sex discrimination and can be grounds for termination.”

The district’s superintendent, David Pendergraft, emailed FFRF after receiving the letter. He laid out the three complaints, and what had been done. The district removed the scripture posted in the staff bathroom the day the district received the letter, the principal had no problem addressing the issue of the music, and he reiterated that if someone had a concern or felt uncomfortable, they were welcome to visit with him. Pendergraft also invited FFRF to contact him again should violations occur in the future.

Kentucky

The Fort Campbell School system will not take students to a farm to be preached to after FFRF informed the district of the First Amendment violation taking place there.

A district parent reported that Andre Lucas Elementary School took students on a field trip to the Christian Way Farm. FFRF learned that, at the farm, students were told a story about God which implied there was hate in the children’s hearts, and that God would clean out the hate. A previous telling of the story captured on video and posted to YouTube shows a woman using a pumpkin as a metaphor to tell the story, where the woman begins by asking a group of students to be “pumpkins” during her story so they will sit still and stay quiet.

The video continued with the woman telling the audience that God has come down from heaven and sees hate in their hearts. She explained that the way to remove hate from their hearts and be able to love other people is by allowing God to live inside them. The story concluded by the woman proclaiming that “love looks like Jesus,” and the reason Jesus died on the cross was to teach the students how to love.

FFRF’s complainant stated that the informational packet the school sent home regarding the field trip did not mention the trip would include a religious presentation, and that the religious story about God cleaning out children’s hearts “scared” their child.

“Students have the First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools, including when attending school-sponsored field trips,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

Superintendent Hugh McKinnon wrote back to FFRF after receiving the letter of complaint. “We have thoroughly reviewed the matter and have taken steps to ensure that the material presented by Christian Way Farms in the ‘story time’ segment of the trip will not be a part of any future field trip attended by our students,” McKinnon wrote. “We appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention and we will use those concerns to ensure that all school activities, including future visits to Christian Way Farm, fully comply with all laws, and are respectful of all views.”

Kentucky

Glasgow Independent Schools learned to keep prayer off the football field after FFRF took note of an unconstitutional pre-game prayer circle.

FFRF learned that a prayer took place at midfield before a Glasgow High game. Both teams appeared to form a large circle at midfield, and a coach or other adult was photographed at the center of the circle.

“We ask that the district immediately investigate this situation and ensure that no coach, district employee or other adult is allowed to preach to students, pray with students or otherwise promote their personal religious beliefs to students,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

In response to the state/church watchdog’s concerns, Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp assured FFRF that the prayer was addressed, and he considered the matter to be resolved.

Michigan

The Charlevoix County Courthouse in Boyne City has ensured that future public-facing communications about days off will not include religious imagery, as was the case with a March display announcing closure for the Friday before Easter.

FFRF learned that the Charlevoix County Courthouse was closed on March 29, 2024, in recognition of Good Friday, a dour Christian holiday preceding Easter. The courthouse announced its closure with a poster depicting the crucifixion of Jesus with the words “This is my body which is given for you. Luke 22:29.” The text immediately below the crucifixion stated that the courthouse would be closed on Good Friday.

“It is inappropriate and divisive for the county to close its offices for a specific religion’s holiday,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the county administrator. “Instead, the county should close when there are secular reasons to do so and not because it wishes to support one religion’s observance.”

Despite not hearing back after the initial letter was sent, FFRF stayed persistent, until finally, in September, Young, Graham & Wendling, P.C.’s Bryan E. Graham replied on behalf of the courthouse. He explained that the county had changed policies around closures, stating that the employee handbook had been revised so that county employees would have an extended weekend on the Friday before Easter. “Concerning the picture of the crucifix that was posted announcing the closure on Good Friday, the employee who posted that picture (at his own initiative) has been counseled that such a photograph was not appropriate in the context of county government,” Graham wrote.

Missouri

FFRF earned a victory in the Missouri-based Mansfield R-IV School District after a religious event was held on school grounds.

A concerned community member informed FFRF that the district led students in prayer at a “See You at the Pole” event on Sept. 25, 2024. “See You at the Pole” is an explicitly Christian event and organization. After the large group prayer, teachers, students and outside priests formed small groups where they worshiped and prayed together, which were led by teachers and staff. A teacher reportedly also presented on Christianity and faith to students after small group worship. The district additionally used its official Facebook account to tout the religious event.

“Any religious events must be entirely student-initiated and student-run,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote. “While the District cannot prohibit students from organizing or participating in a prayer event, the Supreme Court has stated that public school staff members and outside adults must refrain from participating in the religious activities of students while acting within their governmental roles.”

District Superintendent Clint Hall wrote back, informing FFRF of the solution. He wrote, “In order to address any concern about the district’s involvement in the FCA student group, I have spoken with the supervisor of FCA regarding the parameters that are appropriate for religious, non-curricular, student-initiated groups and their activities.”

New York

FFRF kept up the fight for state/church separation in Poughkeepsie when religious material was on display on city property.

A Poughkeepsie resident contacted FFRF to report that on at least one occasion in the fall of 2023, the Info Desk for the City Courts was used to display religious literature promoting Christianity. FFRF’s complainant noted that they felt their right to be free from religious coercion in government spaces was being trampled on by the display.

“As a governmental entity, you are tasked with representing the interests of all of your constituents, regardless of what their religious beliefs may or may not be,” FFRF Equal Justice Works Fellow Kat D. Grant wrote in February 2024.

Despite FFRF not receiving a response from the city, it continued to write to the city until finally, in late 2024, Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne D. Flowers emailed back.

“In February 2024, I noticed there were several religious material items on a table near city court and they were removed,” Flowers wrote. “The court officers and city staff were advised not to allow any religious material to be displayed in the City Hall lobby or any place in City Hall.”

Ohio

The Ashland City School District removed an assignment promoting a teacher’s personal religious beliefs after FFRF contacted the district.

A concerned district parent reported that a teacher at Taft Intermediate assigned students homework that required them to interpret historical timelines which included religious events that are part of religious scripture, not historical facts. FFRF learned that the assignments included the Hebrews’ Exodus from Egypt, accompanied by a picture of Moses parting the Red Sea, as well as the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem, accompanied by a large nativity scene.

“Parents, not public school teachers, have the constitutional right to determine their children’s religious or nonreligious upbringing,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent Steven Paramore.

Paramore confirmed the receipt of FFRF’s letter, writing, “We addressed this with the instructor and have amended the issue.” Paramore added that while no religious persuasion was ever intended, if further issues arose regarding the situation, the district would address the situation.

Ohio

After reports of multiple First Amendment violations from the Chesapeake Union Exempted Village Schools, FFRF got to work to ensure that all school activities would be conducted in a secular nature going forward.

A parent informed FFRF that a prayer was scheduled at Chesapeake Union Middle School’s May 2024 award ceremony. FFRF learned that a student recited a prayer to open the ceremony, while another parent informed FFRF that the Board of Education opens regular monthly meetings with a Christian prayer delivered by someone selected by the board. A parent informed FFRF that they were unaware of the prayer and felt coerced to pray during a meeting where their students received an award.

“Public school students have a constitutional right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote. “It is well settled that public schools may not show favoritism toward or coerce belief or participation in religion.”

The district reached out to legal representative Susan L. Oppenheimer from Ricker Graydon LLP. Oppenheimer addressed both claims formally. “With respect to the student award ceremony, building administrators, including the middle school principal, will be advised that there should be no scheduled prayer in the future, in accordance with current federal case law,” she wrote. Additionally, she confirmed that board members will be advised that there should be no scheduled prayer to open board meetings in the future, in accordance with federal case law.

Oklahoma

FFRF put a stop to a Sapulpa Public Schools system bible study being led by an elementary school teacher.

At the end of 2023, a Freedom Elementary School parent reported that a school teacher had been abusing her position to proselytize and impose her personal religious beliefs onto students. FFRF’s complainant reported that the teacher gave their child a bible, and the same teacher led and directed a bible study at the school that included religious prayer and worship. Reportedly, the district was claiming that the bible study was “student-led.”

“The district must make certain that none of its employees are unlawfully and inappropriately indoctrinating students in religious matters by discussing their personal religious beliefs with, or preaching to students,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district.

The district’s legal representative, John E. Priddy from Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold addressed the concerns after FFRF continued to send the district letters. Priddy apologized for the delay, assuring that the matter was addressed when the letter was received. “The district is aware of and understands the laws prohibiting a teacher from using their position to share their faith with students as well as the prohibition against distributing faith-based materials (such as bibles) at school,” Priddy wrote. Priddy closed his letter stating that staff and principals were committed to adherence to legal obligations moving forward and ensuring the district and its employees are in compliance with the law.

Oklahoma

FFRF worked to put a stop to multiple violations of students’ First Amendment rights in the Achille Public Schools district.

A district parent reported that the district implemented a policy allowing teachers to read bible verses at the beginning of their classes. FFRF learned that the policy applied to both Achille Elementary and Achille High School. The parent-complainant stated that the district informed students at the beginning of the school year that there would be “optional bible verse readings in all of their classes.” For example, the complainant’s child’s history teacher began classes by picking a bible verse for the day and asking a student to read the verse to the class, which had no bearing on the actual subjects being taught and were a blatant way to teach public school students the bible in a devotional manner.

FFRF’s complainant additionally reported that the district had a custom and practice of beginning each school day with “mandatory student-led prayer” over the schools’ intercom systems. The complainant stated the policy has been in effect, at least informally, for years. An official agenda from the Board of Education’s Oct. 14, 2024, meeting reported that the board considered whether to “approve or not approve” a “school policy on Voluntary Private Prayer and Moment of Silence.” Reportedly, after the morning bell, a student announced “a moment of silence or prayer,” followed by the student praying over the intercom. This morning intercom prayer had been taking place in both district schools, and that students cannot skip the morning prayer since it occurs after the first period has already started, so students are “counted late” if they arrive after the prayer.

“The district must cease permitting teachers to give students bible lessons and it must ensure its schools refrain from coercing students to observe and participate in school-sponsored prayer,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.

Superintendent Rick Beene emailed FFRF, assuring FFRF that district schools would be in compliance with both the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution and laws. “We have discussed these concerns and these issues have been addressed,” Beene wrote. “Through meeting with both building principals, I have made it clear that we want to make sure that no student is coerced into doing any religious activity.”

Oregon

The Oregon Department of Corrections agreed to keep the Snake River Correctional Institute Veterans Association meetings secular, thanks to FFRF’s advice that it must adhere to the Constitution.

An inmate reported that before every Snake River Correctional Institute Veterans Association meeting, a chaplain delivered a prayer to a captive audience of inmate veterans. FFRF learned that the Incarcerated Veterans Association (IVA) is a registered nonprofit that was established by the overseeing correctional counselor for the institute’s veteran’s unit. The association had continued to be supervised and aided by the institute’s correctional officers and counselors, while also promoting religion and explicitly affiliating itself with Christianity.

“While the institution may permissibly accommodate the free exercise rights of its inmates by providing opportunities for religious worship, the institute and its employees may not organize, promote or coerce inmates to participate in religious events and activities,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.

Shanon Vincent, a representative of the Oregon Department of Justice, wrote to FFRF after receiving the letter. “ODOC is sensitive to the concerns raised and thanks you for the opportunity to address them,” Vincent wrote. “This will confirm that after looking into the concerns that you raised about the prayers, ODOC has elected to end the practice of permitting SRCI’s chaplain to lead short religious prayers before the IVA meetings.”

South Carolina

FFRF fought back against three First Amendment violations at the Anderson School District 3 in Iva, S.C.

A district parent reported that the board was opening meetings with a Christian prayer led by a board member. Video streams of the board’s meetings posted online indicate the prayers were being led exclusively by board members.

“The district must investigate and ensure that its schools adhere to their First Amendment obligations,” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler wrote to the district.

In response to FFRF’s concerns, the district reached out to legal representation through Halligan Mahoney & Williams.

Kathryn Long Mahoney said that, after being made aware of FFRF’s concerns regarding board prayer, the board most recently opened its meeting with a moment of silence, and began evaluating practices to ensure consistency with state and federal law.

Tennessee

The Maryville City Schools in Tennessee will no longer send the school choir to perform at National Day of Prayer events after FFRF informed the district of the surrounding constitutional concerns.

FFRF learned that the Maryville High School choir performed religious songs at Blount County’s National Day of Prayer event held in May 2024. The choir, dressed in their official concert attire, performed three songs, including “Down to the River to Pray.”

“By allowing the MHS choir to perform at this National Day of Prayer event, the district displays clear favoritism for religion over nonreligion and Christianity above all other faiths,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

The district’s legal representative, Chris W. McCarthy, responded to the concerns. In an email to FFRF, McCarthy wrote, “After discussing your letter and its allegations with my client, I can confirm that we take those allegations very seriously, and steps are being taken internally to ensure we do not receive a similar letter moving forward.”

Texas

FFRF’s work in Texas ensured that students would not be coerced into prayer by outside adults or school staff at the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District.

FFRF learned that staff members and an outside adult at Barbara C. Jordan Intermediate School led students in prayer at a “See You at the Pole” event in September 2024.

“Staff involvement in SYATP marginalizes and excludes non-Christian students, teachers and parents whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the message being promoted by the school staff,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district’s legal representative.

Legal Counsel Christine Badillo responded to FFRF’s concerns. “We understand the rights and limitations of teacher and student actions under the law,” Badillo wrote. “The administration of SCUCISD has already looked into this matter and will ensure staff at all levels have a clear understanding of the requirement that any prayer activities be ‘student led.’”

Texas

FFRF’s advocacy for state/church separation helped to keep the Van Independent School District in line with the Constitution after the district promoted a religious worship event publicly.

A community member informed FFRF that the district promoted a religious worship service using official communication channels. Through the official Facebook account, the district promoted a “Community Prayer & Praise Service.” According to the district’s post, the worship service took place at Van Junior High School.

“Government religious speech promoting Christian viewpoints marginalizes and excludes non-Christian students, teachers, and parents whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the message being promoted by the school staff,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district.

Thanks to FFRF’s letter, the district took quick action, responding the next day.

“We have deleted the mentioned Facebook posts and will refrain from promoting religious events using our official District channels, including social media, in the future,” Superintendent Don Dunn emailed back.

Utah

FFRF’s persistence paid off in the Canyons School District after a violation that occurred in 2023 was finally confirmed to be corrected.

A district community member reported that, at a September 2023 board meeting, the board president invited a board member to say a prayer during the beginning of the meeting while board members were getting food. FFRF’s complainant reported feeling uncomfortable being subjected to a religious exercise at their public school board meeting.

“Calling upon students, parents and other board meeting attendees to pray is unconstitutional,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district.

After initially receiving a response from the district in 2023 agreeing to review the concern, FFRF requested more information about the board’s response throughout 2024. Finally, in January 2025, the district confirmed via email that the board of education no longer engaged in invocations at meetings.

West Virginia

The Green Brier County Schools system heeded FFRF’s advice and removed an outside religious group after a reported baptism ceremony took place on school grounds.

A district community member reported that there was a religious club at Greenbrier East High School that appeared to be run by outside adults and/or school staff members. FFRF’s complainant reported that the “Spartan Prayer Team” operated at the high school and that outside adults, as well as staff members, prayed and engaged in religious worship with students. Reportedly, a local pastor and several teachers even baptized students on the school’s football field as part of this religious club.

“The district may not allow outside adults to lead, organize, or regularly participate in ‘student’ religious clubs,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to the district in February 2024.

After nearly a year of silence, FFRF finally heard back from Superintendent Jeff Bryant, who apologized for the silence. “It was brought to my attention near the conclusion of the 2023 school year that a baptism ceremony had taken place on school grounds in affiliation with fellowship of Christian Athletes,” Bryant wrote. Bryant confirmed that after the report came to him, he immediately investigated the incident and confirmed that a baptism ceremony was conducted on school grounds without the knowledge of Greenbrier County Schools administration.

After confirmation of the event, Bryant convened a meeting in his office with the responsible adult parties who conducted the baptism ceremony and “directed that this type of religious ceremony is a violation of policy and is not to take place on Greenbrier County School property in the future.”