Salem officials blasted it by religious organizations trying to ban the use of school property

a Massachusetts town It faces backlash and potential lawsuits in the school board’s proposal to ban religious groups and churches from renting public school spaces.

A letter from the Massachusetts Liberty Law Center addressed to members of the Salem Schools Committee states that it discriminates against the House of Promise Church and other religious organizations over Policy 3204, a proposal that prohibits the committee from renting or renting or leasing the religious system of Salem Public Schools.

Proposals included in the Salem Schools Committee on May 19, 2025 Meeting minutes“The leases and rentals not granted to religious organizations have been added to the policy to address concerns that some religious organizations may have values ​​that do not match the values ​​of the district.”

“I write on behalf of my client, House of Promise Church, and demand that we immediately cease any efforts to discriminate against that or other religious organizations based on their religious beliefs and perspective.” Letter for June 9th.

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“You understand that only religious groups and religious groups are in the process of approving policies that prohibit lease or leases of Salem Public Schools,” the letter reads. “This will become clearer. First fix violation. If we pass this policy and implement it, we will take immediate legal action to maintain the rights of my clients. ”

The MLLC letter claims that the Promise of Promise Church, which reserves the Collins Middle School auditorium space for Sunday services, has been chosen.

“The House of Promise Church is a non-denominational Christian church that has reserved space in the Collins Middle School auditorium for Sunday services for years,” the letter reads.

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The church “used it to do so using the online public booking portal. During that time, we have not received any complaints or negative feedback regarding the use of the property.

Members of the Salem School Committee reportedly voted to proceed with the policy on June 2, and are expected to pass the policy by vote Tuesday.

“In a conversation with Pastor Hyatt after the June 2nd meeting was postponed, Principal Zrike expressed his understanding that House of Promise Church will immediately ban rental spaces at Salem Public Schools if the policy passes.

In a statement in Fox News Digital, Whiting said the proposal was a direct violation of the First Amendment, nodding to Salem’s infamous witch trials in the 1600s.

“We are amazed at Salem’s blatant violation of the first amendment that violates decades of clear legal precedent,” Whiting said. “It seems someone had to let Salem know that. Our Constitution Anti-Christian witch hunts are not permitted. We believe our letters will do the trick and the Salem Schools Board will vote to reject this discriminatory policy. ”

House of Promise Church Pastor Richard Hyatt told Fox News Digital that it is “deeply plagued” by new policies to remove religious groups.

“To be clear, the only religious organization that currently uses these buildings is the church, and there is no one else. Meanwhile, over 100 secular institutions continue to access without the threat of exclusion. This selective treatment tells us that we are not judged about our actions or impact.

He added that as the proposal progresses, the church will not hesitate to pursue all legal measures to defend our rights under the First Amendment and Massachusetts laws.

Fox News Digital We contacted the Salem Schools Board and Principal Stephen Zurique for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

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