Harrison Co. School Memo Bans Coaches, Staff from Leading Prayer at Athletic, Extracurricular Events
By Jeff Toquinto on March 13, 2015
On Wednesday, all principals in the Harrison County School system were given a memorandum regarding prayer in schools and, in particular, extracurricular and athletic events. The memo, written by Assistant Harrison County Superintendent of Schools Anthony Fratto, 
is the result of a complaint from the “Freedom from Religion Foundation.”
is the result of a complaint from the “Freedom from Religion Foundation.”
The complaint, according to the memo, said that “members of a local high school athletic team (were) leading a team prayer and asking other teams to join the prayer.”
Fratto said that, according to the law, a situation such as that is considered school sponsored prayer.
“I’m frustrated by it, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. If that’s the law, I can’t in good conscience leave the school board exposed to legal penalties down the road. We don’t need the financial penalty and bad press that comes with that,” said Fratto.
Fratto cited several United States Supreme Court cases where school-sponsored prayer was shot down in the memo that was sent to principals. He also stated in the memorandum that “the fact that a student was leading the prayer did not cure the constitutional violation.”
The memorandum asks that all coaches sign off on the memorandum. Fratto said the same rule would hold true for all clubs and organizations within the school system – even at the elementary level. It was to be shared with head, assistant and volunteer coaches and "other student group leaders."
“A teacher or a coach cannot be involved with this,” said Fratto. “My understanding, however, is that if a kid has a spontaneous prayer on their own and a few others join in then that would be fine. At the same time, I’m not a lawyer, but if it’s spontaneous that doesn’t seem to fit the definition of school sponsored and there’s nothing that can be done about that.”
As for the prayer ban at school-sponsored events, Fratto said the edict went into effect immediately.
“They were going to sue us immediately,” said Fratto. “ … I’m sure this has been in an issue in West Virginia before, but this is the first time that I, personally, am aware that it’s come to Harrison County.
“Do I agree with this? No, but that’s the law,” he continued. “Basically, this memo is serving as a general reminder regarding this issue.”
The Foundation, according to its Web site, is a non-profit organization. When asking individuals to join, it asks for those who want to “promote nontheism and defense the constitutional separation between religion and government” as part of the process. They claim to have 21,500 members.
I wish there was a "Like" button for some of these comments...spot on! Nice to see how our community values align!
Posted by Benjamin Randolph
Mar. 13, 2015 at 9:43 PM EST
We have changed the meaning of the first amendment to appease a very small group of people, while the rest of the country suffers. It was originally meant to prohibit the government from establishing a state sponsored church, such as the Church of England, not to keep prayer out of schools. If the original intent of the first amendment was to prohibit citizens from praying at school, then why was it legal to do so immediately after the Bill of Rights was adopted and remained legal for the next 172 years?
Posted by Tim Sheppard
Mar. 13, 2015 at 9:30 PM EST
I hope our confident, Christian kids take to a knee whenever they feel the need...and do so in confidence without fear of reprisal. And I believe they will - which makes me proud of our kids and our community. It is frustrating, though, that freedom of religion (or in some people's case, freedom to not have religion), a right of all people, now takes on so many different caveats!
I respect our BOE needing to protect themselves from long, costly battles at the expense of our education budget (although, I'd donate to the cause as would many others). But, I do hope they considered their options before simply conceding. I've come to learn that there are lots of free legal resources that could have been tapped to provide counsel. It would be disappointing if all alternatives and options were not carefully reviewed prior to simply issuing a directive (conceding).
Posted by Benjamin Randolph
Mar. 13, 2015 at 8:43 PM EST
Here we go again!
I am disappointed in our school board for cowering to the threat of another lawsuit if they don't act or respond a certain way when it comes to the separation of church and state. My former board needs to understand that they can't pick and choose which constitutional rights to protect and which ones should be ignored. The relationship between religion and government in the United States is governed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which both prevents the government from establishing religion AS WELL AS PROTECTS privately initiated religious expression, prayer and activities from government interference and discrimination. Through the courts, the First Amendment has been clarified to include certain limits on the conduct of public school officials as it relates to religious activity, including prayer. But IT DOES NOT prevent school employees from supporting student-led prayer and the constitutional right to freedom of religion! What a shame!
Posted by Mike Queen
Mar. 13, 2015 at 6:17 PM EST
It started with the picture of GOD in Bridgeport High School. It had been their since the school was built and then because people didn't like it the picture was to be taken down. Before this could happen someone took the picture. How convenient. Now they are pushing the issue no prayer before an event. They want to separate government from religion. So can someone tell me why they are still voting in churches. Is this not a double standard. I say someone that has the knowledge to force them to change the law should step up. I figure there would be a lot more people backing the change. No one can stop you from praying to our heavenly father, regardless.
Posted by Karen McNemar
Mar. 13, 2015 at 5:09 PM EST
I say we should all contact the "American Center for Law and Justice" led by Jay Sekulow and see what they can do for us here in Harrison County. This is truly a sad, sad day for us here in this county. Now, I do have one concern....it seems the county thinks that there are students being "forced" to pray [and they are not as it is voluntary] and that it is wrong to "force" them; however, the coaches and group leaders are being "forced" to sign the memorandum....hmmmm, what's wrong with this picture?
Posted by Debbie Hooper Kinney
Mar. 13, 2015 at 4:26 PM EST
It is time to take a stand when it is against some law for our children to join hands and pray together to their Creator, .. while inviting children from other schools to join them. Who in our society thinks that that is a bad thing? It is always amusing to me why atheists or nontheists spend so much time, energy, and resources to fight against something that they don't even think exists. - - "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Posted by Gooch Holbert
Mar. 13, 2015 at 3:55 PM EST
Here is how Texas handles the FFRF. Our county BOE's should take note. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/texas-public-school-official-says-students-will-continue-to-hear-bible-verses-every-morning/
Posted by Kevin Lawson
Mar. 13, 2015 at 3:00 PM EST
Read the first 8 verses of Romans chapter 13 We do have to obey the law.
Posted by Mike Bullough
Mar. 13, 2015 at 2:40 PM EST
I think there might be a typo above, this should be the "Freedom from Religion Foundation". I pray this will be a call for action and prompt some Godly young men and women on our athletic teams to step up to this as a challenge and lead in some spontaneous prayers before every game. Let's make it a tradition, and I applaud our coaches whom have done this for so many years.
Posted by Seth Davis
Mar. 13, 2015 at 2:21 PM EST
Its hard to believe it has come to this. For a country that was founded based on religious freedom, to ban prayer is disappointing to say the least. I would like to see the students continue to pray as they have done.
Posted by James Bowen
Mar. 13, 2015 at 1:57 PM EST
I would have gladly donated time and/or money to defend this, but it appears the Harrison County School system already waived their white flag. Sad. God's rules are far more important to me than those created by man.
Posted by Jason Bell
Mar. 13, 2015 at 1:40 PM EST
As a coach at BHS, my team always prayed before every game. It was made clear to everyone that participation was voluntary and no one would be scrutinized for not taking part. To have a quick prayer with my players was, for me, an experience that seemed to help keep the sporting event in perspective as an activity that should be enjoyed. It really bothers me that so few (21,500) can dictate what millions of others should or should not be doing. I do understand the position of the BOE though. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
Posted by Danny Hamrick
Mar. 13, 2015 at 1:28 PM EST
It is a sad, sad, day. I would never want to force a child that doesn't want to pray to think that they must, but why do we have to take away the rights of anyone who does want to pray? I agree Jeff, I hope the students react spontaneously. And I hope people will take notice and quit letting a few take away the rights of many.
Posted by Debby Nelson
Mar. 13, 2015 at 1:22 PM EST
It may be the law, but that doesn't mean "you/I" have to like it. I'll second..."if a kid has a spontaneous prayer on their own and a few others join in then that would be fine"....let the spontaneity begin!
Posted by Jeffrey Smell
Mar. 13, 2015 at 1:04 PM EST
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