Following years of heated debate, school board votes to permit After-School Satan Club to meet at Virginia elementary school

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An after-school Satan club held its first meeting at a Chesapeake elementary school “without incident,” despite protests from concerned parents in the lead-up to the session. But continuing controversy about the club could lead to all non-school-affiliated groups being banned from meeting at the school. 

Key Players

After School Satan Club (ASSC), a program that “promotes self-directed education by supporting the intellectual and creative interests of students” at the request of parents, offers educational activities in response to public schools with Christian Good News Clubs. The program is run by the Satanic Temple, which describes itself as a human rights organization that professes religious pluralism and the separation of church and state, often using satanic imagery and symbolism to make its point.

Good News Club (GNC), a “Bible-centered organization composed of born-again believers” aims “to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ” and hosts after-school lessons about the Bible. 

Further Details

In September 2022, an email was sent out to all parents at B.M. Williams Primary School in the city of Chesapeake, located west of Virginia Beach, informing them that a chapter of the GNC would begin meeting after school. A physical flyer also advertised the club, describing the various Bible and scripture lessons that would be taught.

Shortly after, a parent contacted the ASSC and asked for help forming a chapter at B.M. Williams. The school district approved the club, but refused to send an email or flyer to parents until the school board could discuss the matter in a December meeting.

Some parents were outraged over the news that an ASSC chapter would be meeting at the school, including Melanie Ballard, who told WTKR 3 that she was concerned that it seemed “it [was] okay to have devil worshiping in school around impressionable minds and age.”  

On Dec. 2, in response to the backlash, Jared Cotton, the superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools, made a statement clarifying that the district could not discriminate against religious groups — including the Satanic Temple — seeking to use the facilities after school hours. Cotton added that the ASSC was not approved or endorsed by any school staff members. 

Outrage built about the ASSC’s approved use of the school, and it became so fervent that the parent who had initially contacted the club withdrew her support, fearful for hers and her family’s safety. However, another parent quickly came forward in her place to sponsor the club. 

On Dec. 12, a large crowd attended the school board meeting, with parents speaking both for and against the club. Steve Scheerbaum, a parent who opposed the club, told the board that “if this club meets, I plan on removing my daughter from the school and finding a private alternative.” On the other side, a parent said, “The After School Satan Club has a constitutionally protected right to be here.”   

After the public comment portion of the meeting, the board revealed new rules for non-school-affiliated clubs, requiring them to put up a $600 security fee and abide by restrictions that prevented the ASSC from using the school’s name or logo in any promotional materials without explicit permission. But the ASSC asserted that the restriction violated the First Amendment and contacted the state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for help, the Daily Press reported. The ACLU then notified the district of the potential First Amendment violations that the security fee and restrictions posed. 

Outcome 

School district reverses course on new club rules 

On Feb. 16, 2023, the ACLU stated that the school district had withdrawn its requirements for the ASSC. “In a victory for free speech and religious liberty, the After School Satan Club (ASSC) held its first meeting tonight at B.M. Williams Primary School, despite efforts by some to shut down the club and prevent it from gaining equal access to school facilities,” the statement reads. 

Nine students attended, engaging in arts and crafts and making bookmarks. A volunteer with the club told the Daily Press, “We’re very pleased to say that the meeting was held without incident.”

A small group of protesters gathered, but security hired by the district ensured that they remained off school grounds. 

The matter wasn’t settled, though. On Feb. 27, at another heated meeting, the Chesapeake school board voted 5-4 to allow groups that weren’t sponsored by a school employee — including the ASSC and the Good News Club — to meet at the school, but not until 6 p.m. or later.

Then, in July, at another school board meeting attended by vocal proponents and opponents of allowing non-school-affiliated clubs to meet at the school, the board ordered proposed revisions to the policy to be placed on the agenda for its August meeting. 

On Aug. 14, after two hours of public comment that included nearly 40 speakers, the board voted 7-1 to shoot down a proposal that would have banned all non-school clubs and organizations from using school facilities. 

The vote could end the debate, as many board members indicated they wouldn’t support further discussion of the policy.