The Aplington Parkersburg School District has updated their policy on prayers at school events after an Atheist group intervened, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. A fan at a football game this Fall posted concerns on social media that coaches were leading the team in prayer prior to a game. The Freedom From Religion Foundation then contacted the school to remind them that staff cannot show favoritism for religion in the classroom or at school activities. The school then launched an investigation into the accusations. That investigation found that Head Coach Aaron Thomas and an assistant participated in the prayer but did not lead the prayer. Superintendent Travis Fleshner says that from here on out coaches will not lead or ask student athletes to participate in team prayer and if team prayer happens it will be entirely voluntary and student led as allowed by law.
