After receiving a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Monroe High School in Alexandria, Ind., will no loner permit coaches to participate in or facilitate pre-game prayer.
In a May 23 letter to the Alexandria Community School Corporation, Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel cautioned, “federal law dictates government employees should refrain from actively participating in religious activities while acting within their governmental role to avoid any perception of government endorsement of religion . . .”
The superintendent responded on Sept. 12, assuring FFRF that the administration would instruct schools that they must comply with federal law. “The administration has undertaken measures to correct behavior by providing reference to our school policy and the case law . . . as well as your original correspondence to the building principals and athletic director.”