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Teacher asks board to allow student-led Fellowship of Christian Athletes under federal equal-access rules
Summary
A King George County middle-school teacher urged the board to let interested students form a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter, citing the Equal Access Act of 1984 and emphasizing the group’s voluntary, student-led nature.
A middle-school teacher and Madison District resident, Dave Riley, asked the board to allow interested students to form a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at King George Middle School and said the group would be voluntary and student-led.
Riley told the board that the Equal Access Act of 1984 permits religious student groups to meet in public schools during non-instructional time if they are student-led and voluntary. “Membership in this group would be strictly voluntary,” Riley said, adding he was confident coaches would ensure participation would not affect team membership or playing time.
Board members thanked him; Dr. Boyd noted the high school previously had an FCA and that the division allows student groups under established practices. The board did not take an immediate formal vote on the request; Riley asked the board to reconsider a ban and to allow the students to form their group under the Equal Access Act’s conditions.
What’s next: The board acknowledged the legal framework and said the matter would be considered; no formal policy change was decided at this meeting.
