After School Satan Club in Maine-Endwell Sparks Strong Reaction

Parents of Maine-Endwell elementary school students were surprised when they received a letter promoting meetings of a group organized by "The Satanic Temple."

The flyers were distributed at Homer Brink Elementary School in Endwell Thursday. They announced the "After School Satan Club" is planning to hold ten sessions starting next month.

Maine-Endwell superintendent Jason Van Fossen said the school district had been notified last November that the group was seeking to use facilities at Homer Brink.

Van Fossen said despite the stated organizational principles, "anyone that uses the word 'satanic' in their name is obviously going to provoke people in a very negative way."

The superintendent noted the Maine-Endwell district last year had approved a request for another non-school organization - the Good News Club - to use facilities at Homer Brink.

Van Fossen said the United States Supreme Court has ruled that all outside groups must be afforded equal access to school district facilities.

He said "unfortunately we have to deal with the backlash" to the information that was sent out promoting the After School Satanic Club.

Van Fossen said "the reaction was swift" and predictable. He said the district was prepared and a letter explaining the situation was posted on the Maine-Endwell website. He believes residents will understand why the school district made the decision regarding the organization.

LISTEN: Maine-Endwell school superintendent Jason Van Fossen discussed the "After School Satan Club" on WNBF Radio on February 17, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.