AL: School-led band prayer claimed at Oxford high; not so, say officials

Anniston Star: “In a faxed letter sent to Oxford Superintendent Jeff Goodwin April 23, the national nonprofit Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, claimed Oxford High band director Chris Pennington was violating students’ religious freedoms — protected under the First Amendment — and demanded the problem be corrected immediately. Specifically, the group alleged Pennington was routinely leading his symphonic band class in prayer. The group also alleged Pennington had threatened a failing grade for those symphonic band students who did not show up to perform a concert at a local Baptist church . . . “