Bossier Parish Schools was criticized when staff emails were published displaying a cavalier attitude about teaching
creationism directly from the
Bible to students. One teacher, Carolyn Goodwin, mentioned that "We pray at school functions and probably break the law all the time!!” In February 2017,
Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a federal lawsuit alleging a variety of
unconstitutional practices. The lawsuit was filed by multiple anonymous plaintiffs (represented by Americans United) who alleged official prayers were regularly held at school events (many of which were being held in churches). Classroom teachers, who were uniformly Christians, taught creationism and required students to recite prayers. Teachers and coaches also promoted religious student clubs and off-campus religious events. Religious items were displayed in classrooms and offices. A joint
consent decree between the Bossier Parish School Board and the Bossier parents represented by Americans United was filed with the
U.S. District Court for Western Louisiana on January 22, 2018. This consent decree would end official prayers, teacher
proselytism, teaching of creationism, religious displays, and staff organization of any religious activities at Bossier Parish Schools. It would also require the district to create a monitoring committee to identify and resolve any future violations. In September 2017, in reaction to the
protests by professional athletes during the playing of
"The Star Spangled Banner", the superintendent of the Bossier Parish School Board, Scott Smith, released a statement requiring all athletes at schools in the parish to stand during the playing of the anthem. The statement read: "Our principals and their coaching staffs have sole discretion in determining consequences should a student athlete elect not to stand during the National Anthem and they are making their expectations known to players and their families this week." A letter to parents and students signed by the principal of
Parkway High School outlined punishments ranging from a one-game suspension to physical punishments, such as extra running for failure to comply, to removal from the team for continued protests. == Notable former school board members ==