Opposition in Oklahoma Stirs Constitutional Debate Surrounding School Chaplains
Since America was birthed on freedom of religion, efforts continue to protect it. The heat has recently turned up in Oklahoma capturing public attention, which necessitates this article from NSCA for Constitutional clarity.
National School Chaplain Association asserts the public deserves the full story that began from a blog here which sparked a debate through the story released by Oklahoma City KFOR News on November 11, 2025, titled Lawmaker says Oklahoma charter school allowing religious chaplain to serve students in violation of constitution.
In response, Ryan Haynie, VP, Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) wrote a clarifying article READ: School chaplains are not unconstitutional where he states he “was confused when KFOR ran the story highlighting Representative Mickey Dollens's concerns about a volunteer chaplain in an Oklahoma City public school.” Mr. Haynie further notes; "The State of Oklahoma already employs chaplains in a number of contexts”, which his article lists. Additionally, he included explanations utilizing Oklahoma legislative links.
National School Chaplain Association Statement
These recent articles have sparked important conversations, and NSCA welcomes them!
NSCA does not need to dispute the “separation clause” because George Washington established chaplaincy before the U.S. Constitution was written. Chaplaincy is an essential bulwark of religious liberty in public institutions, and is a well-established precedent.
Separation of Church and State
‘Separation of Church and State’ is not in the Constitution or Bill of Rights. The wall of separation was in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association in regard to keeping the government from mandating a state church.
Engaging with a school chaplain is a choice. The availability of chaplains to public-school students is not an “establishment” of religion. Therefore, in the absence of coercion, there is no Establishment Clause violation. The Free Establishment Clause protects the right to express ones faith voluntarily.
The Establishment Clause says that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” U.S. Const. amend. I. (“[G]overnment may not . . . make a religious observance compulsory…nor may it force citizens to engage in a formal religious exercise.” (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
United States Courts Amendment and Religion states; “The First Amendment has two provisions concerning religion: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause….Today, what constitutes an "establishment of religion" is often governed under the three-part test set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971). Under the "Lemon" test, government can assist religion only if (1) the primary purpose of the assistance is secular, (2) the assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion, and (3) there is no excessive entanglement between church and state.”
A pertinent example of a school related case is Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 142 S. Ct. 2407, 2429 (2022) In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court.
NSCA exists for everyday support, as well as for prevention and crises management by a proven chaplaincy program for students and staff who choose to participate. Chaplain Clay, like all NSCA-trained chaplains, operate under strict guidelines that respect every family’s beliefs.
Key Facts About NSCA Chaplaincy Services
100% Voluntary: No student is required (or pressured) to speak with a chaplain.
Constitutionally Protected: The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the right of religious individuals to serve in public spaces when no coercion or endorsement occurs.
Expression of faith: Is protected by the Free Exercise Clause
For much more information, visit NSCA Website
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The school experience can be stressful, evidenced by increasing violence, depression and escalating suicide rates among young students, plus teacher burnout. NSCA asserts that the schools deserve the same holistic chaplain care that is already provided in other governmental and public sectors.
Since the implementation of school chaplains began, the students, school staff and the community have only experienced a positive impact for wellbeing. For example, Texas district superintendents have written letters of recommendation based on their schools’ positive measurable outcomes after employing school chaplains.
NSCA provides certified and vetted chaplains with up-to-date background checks. For more complete information visit https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/
Watch NSCA Founder / CEO Rocky Malloy's VIDEO interview with Mike Huckabee
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References
Haynie, Ryan, November 12, 2025, SCHOOL CHAPLAINS ARE NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL, https://ocpathink.org/post/analysis/school-chaplains-are-not-unconstitutional
Humphrey, Spencer / KFOR, Nov 10, 2025 / 09:54 PM CST Updated: Nov 11, 2025 / 10:02 AM CST, https://kfor.com/news/oklahoma-education/lawmaker-says-oklahoma-charter-school-allowing-religious-chaplain-to-serve-students-in-violation-of-constitution/
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 142 S. Ct. 2407, 2429 (2022) In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court
Kozar, Dorothy, November 02, 2025 NSCA Blog https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/blog/chaplain-britt-clay-those-faithful-in-little-will-be-trusted-with-much and November 16, 2025 Opposition in Oklahoma Stirs Constitutional Debate Surrounding School Chaplains https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/editorials/opposition-in-oklahoma-stirs-constitutional-debatesurrounding-school-chaplains
United States Courts, First Amendment and Religion, https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/first-amendment-and-religion