Iowa —

The Le Mars Community School District in Iowa will no longer allow a Christian organization access to students after the district partnered with a local religious group to proselytize students.

FFRF learned that on May 1, a religious organization seemingly affiliated with Side by Side Ministries, was permitted by LMCSD to enter Le Mars Community Middle and High School grounds as part of a National Day of Prayer celebration. A Facebook post from the organization on May 1 stated in part, “We had the joy of partnering with Le Mars Youth Network to kick off the National Day of Prayer at Le Mars Community Middle and High Schools. We took time to connect with students and asked them how we could be praying for them. It was a meaningful morning of ministry and encouragement. Join us as we continue to lift up the next generation in prayer.”

The post was accompanied by photos of outside adults on what appeared to be school property, reportedly proselytizing students per the organization’s own post.

“Schools cannot constitutionally allow religious organizations to treat schools as a recruiting ground for their religious mission,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “LMCSD’s choice to allow outside religious representatives unique access to its students demonstrates unconstitutional favoritism not only for religion over non-religion, but in this case Christianity over all other faiths.”

FFRF’s efforts were met with action from the district. FFRF received correspondence from Rachel R. Fritz, the district’s legal counsel. “As a result of your letter and the concerns raised, the district has taken appropriate steps to ensure that any prayer activities occurring on school grounds are entirely student-led or student initiated, in full compliance with applicable legal standards, including the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment,” Fritz wrote. Fritz further explained that group has been instructed not to facilitate or lead in any prayer or devotional activities involving students on district property.

The post The Le Mars Community School District in Iowa will no longer allow a Christian organization access to students (August 2025) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.