New policy limits what announcements are allowed

Folsom school district changes policy that allowed 'Bring your Bible' flier

A school district that sent 20,000 emails to students’ families promoting "Bring Your Bible To School Day” changed its policy on who can send out advertising and promotional materials.The Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board voted unanimously Thursday to limit which organizations will be permitted to send out material through the school district’s email blasts.Groups allowed to send emails include local park and recreation districts, government agencies, nonprofits and organizations intent on promoting educational events relevant to students.“If you’re an outside organization with no real relationship or benefit to our students, it’s unlikely that would meet our criteria,” Folsom Cordova Schools’ Communication Director Daniel Thigpen said.Colorado-based group Focus on the Family submitted the original “Bring Your Bible To School Day” flier in October, which was approved by the district.Days later, the district approved an Atheist organization’s flier promoting “Freethought Day.” Then in December, a flier promoting “Chanukah Wonderland” was also approved.Many parents complained regarding the apparently blatant violation of the Constitutional separation of church and state.“There definitely was a lot of confusion, a lot of strong feelings. I fielded dozens of phone calls, personally,” Thigpen said.However, attorneys warned district leaders that if they rejected the fliers, it could be viewed as potentially discriminatory.The new policy does not prohibit religious organizations from sending out promotional fliers; however, they too must promote an educational event directly applicable to students in the district.

A school district that sent 20,000 emails to students’ families promoting "Bring Your Bible To School Day” changed its policy on who can send out advertising and promotional materials.

The Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board voted unanimously Thursday to limit which organizations will be permitted to send out material through the school district’s email blasts.


Groups allowed to send emails include local park and recreation districts, government agencies, nonprofits and organizations intent on promoting educational events relevant to students.

“If you’re an outside organization with no real relationship or benefit to our students, it’s unlikely that would meet our criteria,” Folsom Cordova Schools’ Communication Director Daniel Thigpen said.

Colorado-based group Focus on the Family submitted the original “Bring Your Bible To School Day” flier in October, which was approved by the district.

Days later, the district approved an Atheist organization’s flier promoting “Freethought Day.” Then in December, a flier promoting “Chanukah Wonderland” was also approved.

Many parents complained regarding the apparently blatant violation of the Constitutional separation of church and state.

“There definitely was a lot of confusion, a lot of strong feelings. I fielded dozens of phone calls, personally,” Thigpen said.

However, attorneys warned district leaders that if they rejected the fliers, it could be viewed as potentially discriminatory.

The new policy does not prohibit religious organizations from sending out promotional fliers; however, they too must promote an educational event directly applicable to students in the district.