November 25, 2003

Clerk, USD 348 Board of Education
PO Box 67
Baldwin City, KS 66066-0067

RE: Allegations of sectarian religious activities in public schools

Dear Member, USD 348 Board of Education:

It has been brought to our attention by alarmed citizens that improper religious activities may be occurring in Baldwin schools. On their behalf, we are inquiring about certain district practices. Specifically, we ask you to assure us that the following allegations are unfounded:
¢ Christian clergy, dressed in a Santa Claus suit may proselytize a sectarian message in USD 348 public schools in the near future;
¢ students appearing in need of guidance by administration are referred to Christian resources;
¢ Christian missionaries have been granted access to students participating in after-school programs;
¢ the district has provided extra-curricular passes to the above-noted Christian missionaries.

The matter state-sponsored religion was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1963 Schempp v. Abingtion opinion. Writing for the majority, Justice Tom C. Clark said, “In the relationship between man and religion, the state is firmly committed to a position of neutrality.”
We ask you to direct your administration to investigate these allegations and report at your next regular board meeting. If they are unfounded, we thank you for your cooperation in preserving the rights of all Baldwin citizens.
However, if any of these allegations are factual, we urge you to direct administration to comply with federal law.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Mary Davidson, President

cc: Dick Kurtenbach, Director, Kansas and Western Missouri ACLU