Parents urge board to limit religious promotion in schools, cite First Amendment concerns

Two Ashland parents told the Ashland City School District Board of Education on Sept. 22 that religious programming and religiously themed materials in schools risk violating the Constitution’s Establishment Clause.

“I…cherish one of the core founding principles of this country, which is the separation of church and state,” parent Alexandra Emmons told the board, saying she and other families had provided copies of letters the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent the superintendent in July and December 2024 and that she had seen “two songs…with explicitly religious lyrics” performed at a May 2025 school assembly.

Emmons said she was not arguing against private religious instruction but disputed what she described as “the overall encroachment of religion into our public school system,” and asked the board to reduce what she called “proselytization” in district schools.

In response, Superintendent Parramore said Lifewise is offered by parent choice, that “nobody is ever forced to go to Lifewise. Ever,” and that the program does not replace graded classroom time. Parramore said the district would review the concerns and, where necessary, follow up with building administrators and teachers.

Another parent, Erin Rice, who said she recently moved to Ashland and is raising children in a Christian household, said she and other parents felt “a feeling of otherness” when religious messages appear in classrooms or at school events. Rice asked the board to be mindful of inclusion so students who are not part of the community majority feel welcome.

Board members said they would verify the district is operating “within the letter of the law.” One board member emphasized that Lifewise and similar pull-out programs are offered with parent permission and are not funded by district tax dollars, and another asked parents to follow the district’s complaint protocol—raising concerns first with a teacher or building administrator so the district can investigate.

What the district said it will check - The board and superintendent said they would review the Freedom From Religion Foundation correspondence referenced by parents and confirm whether specific practices cited in the letters comply with federal and state law. - Superintendent Parramore and board members reiterated that the district’s Lifewise pull-out program runs only with parental permission and that the program is offered off school property by outside providers.

Context and key details - The public comments cited letters sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation in July and December 2024 and an assembly in May 2025 where parents said religious songs were played. - District officials repeatedly described Lifewise as voluntary and parent-sponsored; officials said program activities are not paid for with district tax dollars. - The board and superintendent urged parents to use the building-level complaint process for specific classroom concerns.

What happens next Board members said they will review the cited letters and relevant state and federal guidance and follow up with the parent who spoke; the superintendent offered to follow up personally this week.

Quotes (selected) “Regardless of my own religious background…we all have in common is that we cherish one of the core founding principles of this country, which is the separation of church and state,” Alexandra Emmons said.

“Nobody is ever forced to go to Lifewise. Ever,” Superintendent Parramore said.

Ending The board did not take formal action on the issue during the meeting; members pledged to review the documentation parents provided and to confirm that district practices comply with applicable law. Parents were advised to use the district’s complaint process to raise specific classroom incidents so administrators can investigate.