Tennessee —
After learning of a Tennessee elementary school’s multiple unconstitutional religious entanglements in school activities, FFRF contacted the Gibson County Special School District.
FFRF learned of multiple violations occurring in the district. On Sept. 22, 2025, Gideons International was permitted to distribute its New Testaments to fifth-grade students at Yorkville Elementary School. A Facebook post from the school’s official page included a staged photo of students with bibles that read, “Thank you to Gideons for their yearly delivery of New Testaments for our 5th graders!” Gideons International is “an evangelical association that equips and mobilizes Christian business and professional men, along with their wives, to share God’s word.”
Additionally, the school promoted a See You at the Pole event on the page. A post on Sept. 24 about the event showed students gathered with an adult speaking to them for the religious event. Another violation included a Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony, which included a closing prayer.
Finally, while Yorkville Elementary is complying with Tennessee law by displaying “In God We Trust” in the hallway, the complainant reported that a Christian cross was also displayed with the motto.
“The district’s continual support for religion, Christianity in particular, excludes a significant number of nonreligious students and families,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote to the district. “Thirty-eight percent of the American population is non-Christian, including the almost 30 percent who are nonreligious.”
Despite the multiple violations, FFRF is pleased to report that the district has worked to remove religious influence from official school communications and activities. FFRF received an email from Eddie Pruett, director of schools, stating that he spoke with the principal in regard to the issues. Pruett confirmed that the school Facebook page will not be used to promote either Gideon bibles or See You at the Pole events, students will not be leading prayer at school sponsored events, and the cross had been removed from school property.
