FFRF pointed out secular students’ rights not to participate in religious assignments. (March 2026)

California —

The Los Angeles Unified School District affirmed secular students’ rights not to participate in religious assignments going forward after FFRF pointed out the exclusive nature of a Day of the Dead lesson.

A district parent reported that from October to November 2025, Broadway Elementary School was instructing their first-graders about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and required students to participate in crafting an “ofrenda,” an altar to deceased family members.

The student was given a flyer that explained “Families believe the spirits of their loved ones return to the world of the living for a brief time to visit their families,” and that “Offerings are made to the spirits, including their favorite foods, drinks and personal items, to help guide and nourish them on their journey.”

The parent stated that their child was confused and did not comprehend the spiritual meaning behind creating the altars, and they had to explain to their child that the traditions the school was teaching were not practices the family believed in.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district, which then worked to provide a more inclusive and welcoming environment for students. “District policy allows students to opt out of extracurricular or noninstructional activities that may conflict with religious or personal beliefs,” Chief Administrative & Education Counsel My I. Huynh wrote. “In the event that an opt out is requested, school administrators are to ensure that an alternate activity is provided as a form of accommodation. Parents can be notified ahead of time to ensure that they have ample time to request any accommodation.” Huynh also ensured that school administrators were instructed that if religious themes were to be included in lessons going forward, they must be presented in a neutral and objective manner, and be directly related to sound secular educational goals.

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FFRF reminded employees of their responsibility to remain secular at district-sponsored events. (March 2026)

Colorado —

FFRF’s advocacy ensured that the Denver Public Schools system reminded employees of their responsibility to remain secular at district-sponsored events.

A district parent reported that on Feb. 27, 2025, Lena Archuleta Elementary School invited students and parents to the school for a school-sponsored Community Unity Night Black History Event. Reportedly, the master of ceremonies, a teacher at Lena Archuleta, explained that “prayer is a foundation of Black culture.” After this comment, the teacher acknowledged that she was not supposed to lead students in prayer at school, but she “wanted to start the event off with prayer anyways.” According to the parent, the teacher directed all attendees, including students, to bow their heads and join her in a prayer that was explicitly directed to God.

Following a letter from FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence, the district conducted an investigation into the situation. Lauren Parsons, senior counsel for the Denver Public Schools, confirmed that the district had taken appropriate steps to address the violation, including addressing the matter with the teacher, and providing ongoing training and guidance to employees regarding constitutional requirements.

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FFRF made sure that a school principal would no longer be pushing her religion onto faculty and staff. (March 2026)

Georgia —

FFRF made sure that a principal in the Jefferson (Ga.) City Schools system would no longer be pushing her religion onto faculty and staff as an official representative of the district.

A concerned employee reported that the Jefferson Middle School principal was regularly leading faculty in prayer during meetings. Reportedly, the principal had also appointed the assistant principal to lead prayer if she cannot attend a faculty meeting. The prayers were noted to always or nearly always specifically be Christian.

Additionally, the principal was sending weekly emails to faculty and staff in which she directly referenced and quoted the bible. The employee who contacted FFRF explained that they felt it was wrong for the principal to talk about Jesus and God, and they felt bad for those who had to be subjected to the principal’s belief system “as if it is the RIGHT way to believe.”

After receiving a letter from FFRF Attorney Sammi Lawrence, the district reached out to legal representative Cory O. Kirby. “The superintendent met with the middle school principal and explained the principal separation of church and state specifically addressing the perception of promoting or inhibiting a particular religion through her communications,” Kirby wrote. “The superintendent and the district are confident that the principal is now cognizant of this matter and has assured the superintendent that this will not occur again.”

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FFRF assured that students will no longer have to listen to blatantly Christian music over speakers while they are arriving in the morning. (March 2026)

Georgia —

FFRF was able to assure that students in the Dalton Public Schools system in Georgia will no longer have to listen to blatantly Christian music over speakers while they are arriving in the morning.

A district community member reported that a Bluetooth speaker in the Dalton High School cafeteria was “blasting” Christian worship music every morning. The speaker was located next to the breakfast cart that students used in the morning. Reportedly, the speaker belonged to school staff, not students, and the music could be heard down the hallway. The music was said to be overtly Christian, confirmed by a video received from the complainant.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district and it responded quickly. “School district administration is meeting with the cafeteria staff to remind them of the requirements of the First Amendment as it relates to the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses,” Cory O. Kirby, the district’s legal representative, confirmed.

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FFRF reminded the Delphi Community School Corporation not to allow a religious program to take place during school hours. (March 2026)

Indiana —

FFRF reminded the Delphi Community School Corporation in Indiana that allowing for a religious program to take place during school hours was unconstitutional.

A district parent informed FFRF that Delphi Community Elementary School let the Carroll County Religious Education Program take place during the school day on school property. A flier sent home at the beginning of the school year about the program said, “The children will line-up in the cafeteria with their lunch and walk to a room down a hall from the cafeteria where they will have around 25 minutes of bible teaching while eating their lunch.”

FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler stepped in to remind the district that religious programs have no place in public schools.

After FFRF’s letter was sent, the district took action to see that the district was no longer violating the Constitution. “Please know that we will be stopping this program immediately at our elementary school,” Superintendent Pamela Moore wrote. Moore additionally forwarded FFRF the letter parents were sent confirming that the program had been cancelled in order to provide every student with a safe and inclusive learning environment.

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After learning of ongoing prayers at staff meetings, FFRF helped update meeting guidelines. (March 2026)

Minnesota —

After learning of ongoing prayers at staff meetings in the Schoolcraft Learning Community in Minnesota, FFRF helped the district update meeting guidelines to create a welcoming community for all employees.

An employee reported that SLC was regularly opening mandatory staff meetings with bible readings. According to the employee, SLC teachers rotate through leading these staff meetings and are encouraged to begin each meeting with a reading. The reading, according to the staff website, “can be used to serve as a point of inspiration; to preview the day’s activity; to provide a topic on which to reflect; and to serve as a demonstration of one of the Core Values or Habits of Scholarship.” The employee reported that SLC administration was allowing staff to begin these meetings with readings from the bible from at least November 2024 and into November 2025, when FFRF wrote the letter of complaint.

The employee told FFRF that they excused themselves from the meetings several times when bible readings occurred. “I feel sick to my stomach with anxiety before each meeting not knowing what reading and message will be pushed. I feel embarrassed, disrespectful and unprofessional when I have to excuse myself in the middle of a staff meeting for the reason of preserving my rights,” they wrote. FFRF learned that SLC’s administration received complaints regarding religious readings at the mandatory staff meetings, and the employee who contacted FFRF feared retaliation from SLC administration for exercising their rights to abstain from religious practices while at work.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence sent a letter to the learning center, writing, “Keeping open readings secular costs nothing, excludes no one, and welcomes everyone.”

After receiving FFRF’s letter, the district consulted legal counsel to find the best solution. After the school board reviewed the situation, Superintendent Mark Bjornrud wrote an email detailing the steps the district had taken as corrective measures. “We have since clarified that the portion of the Staff Circle that is led by a different staff member each month should mirror the expectations, substance and structure as the morning crew circles that teachers hold in their classrooms each day,” Bjornrud wrote. “We have put together and conducted all staff training on the expectations and structure for these circles.  Clarifying language will also be included in our staff handbook.”

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FFRF helped stop religious prayers at district softball events. (March 2026)

Missouri —

FFRF successfully worked with the Hannibal School District #60 in Missouri to stop religious prayers at district softball events.

A concerned parent reported that on Nov. 13, 2025, the Hannibal High School Girls’ Softball Coach directed a student to lead all attendees in prayer at the softball team’s award banquet. While the student led the prayer, the coach and the assistant coach reportedly stood and bowed their heads with the students and parents in attendance. The parent who contacted FFRF stated that this is the second year in a row that the coach promoted religion while acting in his official capacity as coach. Additionally, the assistant coach had a pattern and practice of praying with students before and after games while serving as a representative of the district.

The parent stated that they and their child felt “obligated” to participate in the banquet prayer because the vocal majority of the team was religious, and they feared retaliation. Further, the student reported that the prayers made them uncomfortable, but they participated to avoid losing opportunities to receive awards or have the coach speak to college coaches on their behalf.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district, and the district took immediate corrective action. Superintendent Ritchie Kracht emailed FFRF to detail an investigation that confirmed FFRF’s report. Kracht explained that he spoke with both coaches to make sure they fully understand that the prayers were unacceptable.

“The head coach will ensure this will not happen again in his program,” Kracht wrote. “We are also educating the rest of our coaching staff in all our activities to ensure this does not happen again.”

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FFRF worked with schools in Ohio to make sure that future assemblies would not incorporate prayer or religious music. (March 2026)

Ohio —

FFRF worked with the Coshocton City Schools in Ohio to see to it that future assemblies would not incorporate prayer or religious music in order to create a more welcoming environment for students.

A parent reported that on Nov. 11, 2025, Coshocton High School held a mandatory Veterans Day assembly. During the assembly, a teacher at the high school led all students in a Christian prayer followed by a request that the students stand and sing “God Bless the USA.” The parent stated that their child felt very uncomfortable and pressured to participate. Their child also reported that they felt like if they did not comply, they might be bullied, ostracized or possibly punished.

“Coshocton City Schools has an obligation under the law to make certain that its teachers are not violating students’ rights by proselytizing or leading children in prayer,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote.

FFRF’s message was received and Superintendent Mark Kowalski informed FFRF that no assemblies at the district are mandatory, but the parent’s concern was addressed regardless. “I can assure you that in the future that none of our assemblies will include any type of prayer or any music that could be mistaken for ‘religious’ in nature,” he wrote. “All of our assemblies will continue to remain voluntary in nature, as well.”

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FFRF told a school district not to promote religious organizations at district events and social media pages. (March 2026)

Ohio —

The Washington Nile Local School District in West Portsmouth, Ohio, learned not to promote religious organizations at district events and on official district social media pages after receiving a letter from FFRF.

A parent reported that on Oct. 29, 2025, Portsmouth West Elementary School (PWES) hosted a Trunk or Treat/Math and Literacy Night event where there were tables promoting various local churches. The parent reported that these churches were invited to set up booths inside the school. PWES’s official Facebook page also promoted the event as presented by PWES.

Additionally, the PWES official Facebook page was reposting Compass School Ministries’ Facebook post about religious teachings during release time onto the official school’s Facebook page.

“The district cannot allow its schools to be used as recruiting grounds for churches at school events,” Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote. “As the district is aware, public schools may not show favoritism towards nor coerce belief in religion.”

In response, Superintendent Chris Rapp reported the corrective actions taken. “In response to your letter, Washington-Nile Local Schools will ensure that PWES refrains from promoting religious organizations at school-sponsored events going forward,” Rapp wrote. “We have deleted the aforementioned post and have counseled our staff to refrain from promoting religious teachings using official district channels, including social media.”

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‘We Dissent’ podcast discusses transgender sports bans

The latest installment of “We Dissent” features a special guest to get to the bottom of two important recent Supreme Court cases.

On Episode 51, FFRF Deputy Legal Director Liz Cavell, Americans United Legal Director Rebecca Markert and National Women’s Law Center Director of Nominations & Democracy Alison Gill welcome Shiwali Patel, senior director of education justice at the National Women’s Law Center, who analyzes the anti-trans sports ban cases currently before the Supreme Court: Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. They then discuss the history of Title IX — and why the attack on trans sports participation is really an attack on the basis of the critical nondiscrimination law. 

“We Dissent,” which first aired in May 2022, is a legal affairs show offering legal wisdom from the secular viewpoint of women lawyers. The show is a collaboration of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center.

Find previous episodes here, which examine developments affecting the separation of church and state, particularly in the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts. Past episodes include discussions about court reform, religion behind bars and abortion and also feature a range of expert guests.
      
Episodes are available at the “We Dissent” website, on YouTube, Spotify or wherever your podcasts are found. Be sure to stay up to date with the “We Dissent” podcast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bluesky.

Tune in regularly at “We Dissent” for compelling legal discussion and insights!

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