Ohio —

The Washington Nile Local School District in West Portsmouth, Ohio, learned not to promote religious organizations at district events and on official district social media pages after receiving a letter from FFRF.

A parent reported that on Oct. 29, 2025, Portsmouth West Elementary School (PWES) hosted a Trunk or Treat/Math and Literacy Night event where there were tables promoting various local churches. The parent reported that these churches were invited to set up booths inside the school. PWES’s official Facebook page also promoted the event as presented by PWES.

Additionally, the PWES official Facebook page was reposting Compass School Ministries’ Facebook post about religious teachings during release time onto the official school’s Facebook page.

“The district cannot allow its schools to be used as recruiting grounds for churches at school events,” Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote. “As the district is aware, public schools may not show favoritism towards nor coerce belief in religion.”

In response, Superintendent Chris Rapp reported the corrective actions taken. “In response to your letter, Washington-Nile Local Schools will ensure that PWES refrains from promoting religious organizations at school-sponsored events going forward,” Rapp wrote. “We have deleted the aforementioned post and have counseled our staff to refrain from promoting religious teachings using official district channels, including social media.”

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