Michigan —
Owosso Public Schools in Owosso, Mich., was reminded by FFRF that students were not to be exposed to proselytizing messages from churches while at school.
A concerned Owosso Public School parent informed FFRF that they discovered fliers for Grace Pointe Wesleyan Church that were placed on the front table at Bryant Elementary School encouraging students to go to service and youth group on Sundays. The complainant additionally reported that donations to Bryant Elementary from a church last year included religious materials tucked inside.
It appeared that the district maintained a policy by which any organization could distribute materials to students, subject only to the superintendent’s approval. Per Owosso Public Schools Permission to Distribute form, “Permission to distribute information to Owosso Public Schools must be granted by the superintendent.”
“It’s concerning that the district’s current policy does not lay out any neutral guidelines or generally applicable rules that organizations must follow,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote to Superintendent Steve Brooks. “Instead, it appears that which outside materials are approved for distribution is left up to the personal opinion of a single administrator.”
Thankfully, Brooks responded to FFRF’s complaints to ensure that the district would no longer disregard the First Amendment.
Brooks investigated the situation and confirmed that he did not approve the fliers through the central office, and had not received a request for them. “As soon as we became aware, staff immediately removed the flyers and conducted a sweep of the building to ensure no additional flyers or posters were present,” Brooks wrote. “None were found. The building administrator also reminded staff that only district-approved flyers may be distributed.” Brooks concluded by stating that it was unclear who had printed the fliers.
The post Owosso Public School was reminded that students not be exposed to proselytizing messages while at school. (November 2025) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
