FCA Sues New Jersey School District Over Ban on Adult Mentors

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging that the Hopewell Valley Regional School District violated religious freedom by barring outside adult volunteers from its student-led chapters. The suit names the district’s board of education, Superintendent Rosetta Treece, interim executive county superintendent Daryl Minus‑Vincent, and New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Lily Laux as defendants.

According to the complaint, the policy was enacted in March 2024 after the Wisconsin‑based Freedom From Religion Foundation urged the district to stop outside adults from regularly leading or attending FCA meetings. FFRF attorney Paul H. Green stated that the district was directed to halt such involvement to comply with the Equal Access Act and the First Amendment, while FFRF staff attorney Madeline Ziegler argued that public schools may not let religious groups use campuses as recruiting grounds.

FCA maintains that the rule applies only to religious clubs and not to secular student organizations, claiming it constitutes religious discrimination. The organization says its adult mentors have historically helped with activities such as answering questions, leadership development, and providing refreshments at meetings.