Bloomfield

Resolved August 2011 | Bloomfield, IN

Each week a student religious club would submit a “weekly Bible verse” to be read as part of a public high-school’s morning announcements by the school’s principal.  AU wrote to the school district to explain that it is unconstitutional for a public school to read religious messages to its students over the intercom and that the religious club did not have the right to inject religious messages into the announcements.  The school district responded and agreed to remove the religious content from the morning announcements and to limit school clubs to informing students of the facts about clu Read more

Macon County

Resolved July 2011 | Macon County, NC

AU learned that a North Carolina public-school graduating class had invited a preacher to deliver their graduation address.  The preacher delivered a sermon replete with references to the evil power of the Devil and to the Bible.  AU wrote to the school district to explain that the inclusion of prayer and sermonizing at a public-school graduation is unconstitutional, and that the violation is not fixed merely because the students selected the speaker by vote.  The school district responded and assured us that the speaker was allowed in error and that the school district would more vigilantl Read more

Blue Island

Resolved July 2011 | Blue Island, IL

The City of Blue Island chose to require all residents to place a “St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church: 150 Years” sticker in the windshield of their vehicles.  AU objected to this practice, explaining that endorsement of a religious institution on government documents is a constitutional violation.  After receipt of AU’s letter, the Mayor issued an executive order stating that no religious institutions shall be placed on vehicle stickers in the future. Read more

Wilmington

Resolved July 2011 | Wilmington, CA

A public school in Los Angeles had allowed a student religious club to post advertisements for its events on the school’s front gate when other groups had not been allowed to do so.  The school also let that club host an after-school religious festival, during which the sounds of the religious activities of the festival were amplified so loudly that working teachers and students participating in other after-school activities could hear them.  AU sent a letter of complaint explaining that both the preferential access to the front gate and the amplification of the religious festival so that n Read more

Durham

Resolved June 2011 | Durham, NC

AU received a complaint that a public school had allowed a church to place a permanent sign on the school’s front lawn advertising church services. The school removed the sign after AU sent a letter of complaint that explained that allowing a permanent advertisement sent the impermissible message that the school endorsed the church’s activities. Read more

New Bern

Resolved May 2011 | New Bern, NC

A public-school principal was hosting prayer-breakfasts for staff and including religious messages in emails to staff and in other official school communications. AU complained to the school district about these practices. Although the school did not officially respond to our letter, our complainant has assured us that the principal has discontinued these activities. Read more

Show Low

Resolved May 2011 | show Low, AZ

During a music class at a public elementary school, a music teacher showed a video depicting the story of Noah’s Ark and, in class discussion of the video, told students that the story was true. AU wrote a letter of complaint to school district officials, who responded that they had discussed the matter with the teacher and instructed her not to use religious materials in class in the future. Read more

Oconee County

Resolved April 2011 | Oconee County, SC

Several sports teams at a public high-school were employing “Team Chaplains” who led students in prayer. Additionally, the wrestling team’s handbook contained Biblical quotations. AU wrote to the school to explain that both of these practices are unconstitutional. The school district subsequently hosted a meeting at the district office for all middle- and high-school principals and athletic directors. At this meeting, district officials instructed attendees that they could not have team chaplains or include religious material in any communications with students. Read more

Murfreesboro

Resolved April 2011 | Murfreesboro, TN

The City of Murfreesboro posted on its website an advertisement for a “Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast” that was meant to raise money for a religious organization. AU wrote to the city to point out that the government may not endorse or participate in prayer breakfasts or religious fundraisers. The City agreed, removing the advertisement and assuring AU that the event was privately sponsored and that the City was not officially involved. Read more

Florence

Resolved April 2011 | Florence, SC

AU received a complaint that several public-school officials were sending out overtly religious emails to school staff and were conducting prayers at faculty meetings. The school district’s Board of Trustees voted to put a stop to these practices following AU’s letter of complaint. Read more

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