The Bremerton School District was notified by a Texas based religious liberty institute today that our assistant football coach will be saying a private, post-game religious prayer after Friday night’s homecoming game.
As the district stated last month, while on duty, our coaching staff can provide motivational, inspirational talks to students before, during and after games and other team activity, focusing on appropriate themes such as unity, teamwork, responsibility, safety and endeavor. However, because of mandatory federal law and School Board policy, these talks with students may not include religious expression, including prayer. District coaching staff remain on duty following games and until players have changed out of their uniforms and have been released to their parents.
When the issues about past religious practices were brought to our attention last month, we looked into the matter and were pleased to determine that the BHS football coaching staff’s conduct was entirely well‐intentioned, but that the District had not provided clear guidance to staff regarding the limitations imposed by federal law. Following education as to those limitations, the coaching staff acknowledged their understanding of the guidelines provided, and agreed to abide by those guidelines going forward.
We hope our coaching staff continues to stand by the earlier agreement and that Friday’s football game will focus on the hard work of our student athletes.
