MESA, Ariz. — A former American Idol contestant who performs at school assemblies in Arizona distributed religious materials to kids at Barbara Bush Elementary School in Mesa in September.
The district told 12News once teachers realized what was happening, they confiscated most of the books.
As 12News reported Thursday, volunteers with Scott MacIntyre also distributed religious materials to students at Millennium High School in Goodyear earlier this month. MacIntyre performed at that school on Oct. 5. Millennium’s principal apologized the following day, saying they were caught off guard by the materials. The booklets contained a combination of The New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and founding U.S. documents.
MacIntyre, who was born with sight impairment, runs a public speaking nonprofit. Its stated mission is to bring hope and God to a broken world. Mesa Schools said his message to the students was positive and inspirational.
MacIntyre also requested to distribute materials at Fuller Elementary School in Tempe for an assembly there. District officials told 12News they notified MacIntyre the materials would need to be reviewed. MacIntyre did not distribute materials.
An attorney with the nonprofit Secular AZ Alliance said the events likely violated the constitution and the rights of students and parents. Although the current Supreme Court has been more prone to favor religious freedoms, historically the court has upheld issues related to separation of church and state in accordance with the First Amendment’s establishment clause. Public schools go to great lengths to not be perceived as endorsing a particular religion.
MacIntyre also spoke at two other rural Arizona elementary schools this year, Wrightston Ridge Elementary and Continental Elementary School. The districts of those schools did not respond to 12News for comment.
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