BREMERTON — Following Coach Joe Kennedy’s prayer at the end of the football game Oct. 16, Patty Glaser, communications director for the Bremerton School District, issued the following statement:
“At this time, Mr. Kennedy’s employment status with the Bremerton School District remains unchanged. The district is in the process of reviewing the events of Friday night; is in contact with Mr. Kennedy’s representatives; and will continue a dialog with them over the coming days.
“The District continues to hope that the District and Mr. Kennedy can arrive at common understandings that will ensure that the rights of all community members are honored and the law is respected.”
At the regular school board meeting Oct. 15, before the game but after Kennedy declared his intention to pray after the game, the subject of Kennedy’s post-game prayers was addressed by members of the public and board members alike.
During the public comments section, Teresa Fox, who graduated from Bremerton High School in 1979, spoke about this issue.
“I’d like to encourage the district to continue the efforts to uphold the law and not allow Coach Kennedy to lead, conduct or participate in prayer after high school football games,” Fox said. “The potential … for lawsuits needs to be considered. If Kennedy violates the law and the district’s directions, he should be disciplined in accordance.”
Fox went on to address comments she’s heard “local Christians” say, about the participation in the prayer being voluntary. Fox expressed concern that students would feel “compelled to participate” or “worried about retaliation for refusing.”
Wesley Bonetti, another BHS graduate, said, “This isn’t an ethics issue, it’s a legal one. Coach Kennedy … is a well-meaning guy. But this is a legal issue. He’s broken the law. There’s not much to it.”
On the other side of the argument spoke George Warrington.
“As a citizen of the United States, I appreciate our Founding Fathers pursuing Freedom of Religion,” he said. “We should not be discouraging religious meetings.
“As I see it, the meetings do not conflict with any education or sporting events. … I’m not an adamant religious person, but I do believe that life is better with a little something to follow the lead of, like religion.”
Ed White said that Kennedy is merely exercising his Constitutional right to religious freedom, and the right to freely express his religion.
“That’s what Coach Kennedy is doing. He is exercising his Constitutional right to show his faith publicly, regardless of who he works for,” White said. “Anyone, of any faith, I would fully support coming out and expressing (their religion). They have a right to do that. And the students have the right to freely assemble wherever they want, to participate in that faith. If the board has an issue with that Constitutional right, they should take action.”
John Taylor said to the board, “As a taxpayer, I own the 50-yard-line. By election, I have delegated the responsibility of taking care of that 50-yard-line to you folks. My promise would be, if you don’t take care of it, you’re going to be fired. Bottom line. Do your job. Don’t be intimidated.”
Following the public comments section, the board and superintendent spoke.
“It is unfortunate that this issue has taken so much time and energy away from our goal of ensuring academic success for all of our students,” said Dave Rubie, board president.
Superintendent Aaron Leavell said, “I want to be clear: The District is in no way taking away an athletic coach’s freedom of expression.
“What we are doing is what every state-funded agency and school district must do: abide by the laws that govern us. Like every public school district in the nation, our teaching and coaching staff is not allowed to include religious expression, including prayer, in talks with students while on duty for the district.”
Leavell further explained that coaches are on duty following games until the athletes have changed out of their uniforms and have been “released to their parents.”
“It’s important to note that while on duty, coaches can provide motivational, inspirational talks to students before, during and after games and other team activities,” Leavell said, “focusing on appropriate themes such as unity, teamwork, responsibility, safety and endeavor.”
Leavell said that support from coaches and teachers is important and valued, provided the Constitutional rights of students are not threatened.
“I urge our coach to stand by his earlier commitment,” Leavell said. “Our district cannot allow our staff to infringe the Constitutional rights of our students. This would put our schools at risk of liabilities and lawsuits and take away from our focus of meeting the needs of all of our students.”
