The West Des Moines Community School District has stopped the Valley football team's volunteer chaplain from praying with players before and after games.

In a statement Monday, West Des Moines Superintendent Lisa Remy said the district received written concerns from parents that the prayers were a violation of the First Amendment.

In turn, the district asked "self-described chaplain" Chris Barr to refrain from working with the team while the concerns are reviewed by the district's legal counsel, Remy said.

Barr did not pray with players Friday night when Valley hosted Waukee.

Praying at public school sporting events has raised concerns across the country.

An online petition to "Keep Chris Barr as Tigers Chaplain" started by a Valley football player, said members of the Valley team walked from the midfield logo to the end zone and kneeled to pray before Friday's game in support of Barr.

The petition had more than 1,200 supporters before it closed Monday morning.

"It is necessary for district administration to work with the athletic director and coaches to determine and make appropriate changes," Remy said.

Barr is not an employee of the district. He works with West Des Moines Community Schools Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an independent organization that works with Christian students enrolled in West Des Moines schools. According to the district's website, Fellowship of Christian Athletes holds meetings twice a month on Monday nights in the Valley High School cafeteria.

Barr could not be reached at time of publication.

Some states have enacted laws to address prayer in public schools. Iowa has not, but it still must follow federal laws regarding religion in public school.

So what exactly is prohibited by law?

Leading official prayers, even if students are allowed to leave the room

Requiring a moment of silence when the clear purpose is religious

Conducting prayers over school's loudspeaker system before football games, even if led by students

Teaching a specific religion as the truth (history or traditions of various religions can be taught as part of history or sociology)

"Student-led gatherings continue to be protected in accordance with law, including prayer or other religious activities," Remy said. "We will also continue to work with all student activities/clubs, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to ensure meetings are student-led and provide equal access to all students."

In June, a school district in Georgia ended its partnership with a local chaplain after the district received a complaint. That same month, a Pennsylvania high school baseball team was accused of violating the separation of church and state with pregame prayers led by the coach.

In January, the United States Supreme Court refused to take up a First Amendment case filed by a Washington high school football coach who was fired in 2015 for kneeling in prayer after games.

The coach, Joseph Kennedy, became a rallying figure for religious conservative groups who argued that he was denied his free speech rights as a private citizen.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled in 2017 that Kennedy acted as a public official by praying, along with willing athletes, in school attire and in full view of students and parents.

Rita Bettis Austen, legal director for ACLU of Iowa, said it's unconstitutional for school employees to deliver prayers or religious indoctrination to students, or to participate in prayers or religious activities with students in the classroom, during school-day assemblies, and other school events, including sports.

"Student-led or student-initiated prayer is also not permissible where it is actually directed or encouraged by school officials, or where schools officials allow students to impose prayer on peers who are a captive audience by virtue of their attendance at a school-sponsored event," she said.

However, personal prayer and student-led prayer are protected under the First Amendment.

"The only kind of prayer that is forbidden in public schools is institutionalized prayer," Bettis Austen said. "Remember, students have the right to express religious beliefs, public schools do not ... religious education, if any, is best left to parents and faith communities, not public school officials. Public schools must remain places of education, not religious indoctrination."

Gage Miskimen is a news reporter mostly covering West Des Moines, Waukee, and Clive for the Register. Reach him at gmiskimen@dmreg.com or 515-284-8234. Follow him on Twitter @gagemisky

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