Florida school board pauses chaplain plans following interest from 'Ministers of Satan'

A Florida school board paused a plan for a chaplain program after receiving First Amendment concerns — and interest from The Satanic Temple.

In a move that school officials present said was rare, the Osceola County School Board pulled the plan from consideration during its Tuesday meeting. It highlights the complexities and complications school districts face in implementing a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year that allows volunteer chaplains to provide support services for public K-12 students.

And it's especially notable since DeSantis signed that measure at a high school in Osceola County, during a press conference where the superintendent himself spoke in support.

"It's an honor that you have chosen our community for today's signing ceremony," Superintendent Mark Shanoff said at the April event . "Thank you for your leadership to ensure our students receive the supports they need to be successful, and for recognizing the role that spiritual guidance can have in enhancing the experience of our students."

Fast-forward nearly four months, and the school board voted 3-2 to take the policy out of a bundle it was voting on for the new academic year. The school board members in the majority said concerns brought to them shortly before the meeting warranted more discussion.

"I need more time to make a decision," said Heather Kahoun , the board chair. "I haven't had an opportunity to think about these things, to think about the implications regarding the First Amendment, regarding federal litigation that we could receive if we were to approve this as it is today."

The Satanic Temple , for example, sent the board an email on Tuesday saying they were "enthusiastic about the opportunity this policy presents for our Ministers of Satan."

Jon Arguello, a conservative member, bashed what he called the "last minute" concerns his colleagues brought forward at Tuesday's meeting.

"I think it was the intention of the board members all along to vote this down," he said . "This, to me, is a very blatant and obvious sinking of a program that the governor came and started here."

Concerns about 'untrained chaplains'

While the start of the school year is already underway, the Osceola County School Board is the first in the state that has acted on a chaplain program, according to the Council of Florida Churches Inc.

The council, along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, has been watching out for it. Both organizations have expressed opposition to the measure since it made its way through the 2024 legislative session.

"We were opposed to it from the get-go because we don't think the public school system is the place for this," said the Rev. Joe Parramore, legislative director of the council. "We think the spirituality and the spiritual growth of any family is left up to the family."

The bill authorizes school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy for chaplains “to provide support, services, and programs to students.”

It requires parental consent before a student meets with a chaplain, who must undergo a background check. It also mandates that districts publish a list of the chaplains on its website and for school principals to inform parents about them.

Other than that, the rollout is left to local school officials, if they choose to have a program. But Parramore's team plans to send a letter to superintendents and school board chairs statewide next week, warning that they should think twice.

"Untrained chaplains lack the necessary qualifications and expertise to address the diverse spiritual and religious needs of students in a sensitive and inclusive manner," the letter reads. "By using individuals without proper training, we risk marginalizing students from non-dominant faith backgrounds or those who identify as non-religious."

The letter also warned of potential First Amendment issues: "The use of untrained chaplains may inadvertently blur the lines between church and state, raising constitutional concerns and legal challenges," it said.

The Satanic Temple's take — and that of Gov. DeSantis

The Satanic Temple also has been commenting on the school chaplain measure since the USA TODAY Network-Florida asked the IRS-recognized religious group about it in late February.

"We look forward to working with you to introduce the nation's first Satanic School Chaplaincy in Osceola County," it wrote in its latest letter, directed at the school board.

The group doesn't actually worship Satan and is well-known for its advocacy for the First Amendment and religious freedom . Such topics have dominated conversations about the legislation, especially after DeSantis signed it.

Satanism "is not a religion," DeSantis said in comments that, if tested, would likely result in a First Amendment court fight. "That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this. ... But to exclude religious groups from campus, that is discrimination." The governor's office did not respond to a request for comment.

But various supporters of the bill said it's a win for school children, addressing concerns about youth mental health and the need for more school counselors. "There's some students who need some soulcraft, and that can make all the difference in the world," DeSantis said.

The Satanic Temple wasn't the only one messaging board members before the vote. In an email sent to the school board shortly before the Tuesday meeting, the ACLU of Florida attached four different letters of opposition to public school chaplaincy programs, including one signed by a few hundred chaplains.

"Freedom of religion means that parents and faith communities — not government officials — have the right to direct their children’s religious education and development," said Kara Gross, the group's legislative director and senior policy counsel, in a statement. "Allowing chaplains in public schools would cross these well-established boundaries."

David Williamson, co-founder of the Central Florida Freethought Community, warned the board before the vote that its policy would result in "significant legal liability."

"We had one person from Oviedo come and speak out against it," Board member Arguello said, referring to Williamson, who lives outside the county. "Our community, in terms of all the people I've spoken about, has been in support of the program.

"I think this is an incredibly valuable opportunity for us to expand where our society is clearly needing help," he added at another point in the meeting.

Julius Melendez, another school board member, told Fox 35 Orlando that a committee made up of community members would review and recommend a final policy. There have been no announcements on when that might occur.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida school board pauses chaplain plans following interest from 'Ministers of Satan'