ORLANDO, FL – Child Evangelism Fellowship (“CEF”), which sponsors Good News Clubs designed for elementary-age students, has recently won the right to meet on public school facilities in Ohio and Connecticut, and to distribute flyers about the Clubs. CEF is represented by Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel.

The Trotwood-Madison School District refused to allow CEF to have a Good News Club until Jackie Sweet, Director of CEF in Miami Valley, contacted Liberty Counsel. Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter to the Superintendent, Lowell Draffen, stating that the District’s denial of access to the Club was unconstitutional discrimination based on the Club’s Christian viewpoint. The District permits a number of secular clubs to use the school facilities. If a favorable response was not received in ten days, the letter warned that a suit would be filed. The District prolonged the application process for months and stated in writing that CEF would not be permitted to use the facilities. Following receipt of the demand letter, the District’s attorney, Dwight Washington, quickly assured Liberty Counsel that CEF’s request for facilities will be handled “as other requests in a non-discriminatory manner.”

Josh Guido, Director of Ministry Operations at CEF in Connecticut, called Liberty Counsel after a CEF club was charged rent for use of the school facilities when other after-school clubs were not being charged. Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter to the District Superintendent, Dr. Smyth. After receiving the letter, the fees for the room were waived.

Staver commented, “Denial of a group’s access to school facilities because of its religious viewpoint is unconstitutional. In Good News Club v. Milford Central School District, the United States Supreme Court ruled that if a school district allows after-school secular groups to meet on campus, the school cannot ban the Good News Club solely because of its religious viewpoint. Staver continued, “The Supreme Court has ruled that a discriminatory fee policy against religious organizations is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.” Staver further remarked, “One thing is clear – a policy excluding persons or groups from using school facilities, or one that imposes discriminatory fees for similar groups because of their religious viewpoint is unconstitutional. Equal access for after-school groups also applies to the distribution of flyers designed to inform students about the meetings.”

If you are interested in starting an after-school Christian club, contact Liberty Counsel. To obtain a brochure on Equal Access, visit our website.