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SC School Chaplain Program Expands, Sparks Controversy

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/0 .. chaplain-program-expands-sparks-controversy.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, February 3rd 2026 at 16:12 GMT by Post and Courier
      Locales: South Carolina, UNITED STATES

GREENVILLE, SC - February 3rd, 2026 - South Carolina's ambitious program to place chaplains in public schools continues to expand, now reaching into its fourth year, but remains deeply divisive. What began as a pilot initiative in 2023 to address perceived gaps in student support is now a fully-funded state program with over 250 chaplains actively serving, and projections indicating that number could exceed 400 by the end of the current academic year. The program, costing the state $4.5 million in 2026 - a significant increase from the initial $3.07 million - is designed to provide students with spiritual guidance, mentorship, and mental health support. However, the rapid expansion has intensified legal challenges and fueled a national debate surrounding the separation of church and state.

Initially conceived as a response to rising concerns about student mental health, particularly following the disruptions of the early 2020s, the chaplain program aimed to provide resources schools felt ill-equipped to handle alone. Proponents, including State Senator Larry Koon, continue to argue that chaplains fill a crucial need, offering a layer of support for students lacking stable family structures or strong community connections. Koon stated recently, "We are facing a youth mental health crisis. Chaplains aren't replacing counselors, they are supplementing them, providing a different kind of support that many students desperately need." This perspective emphasizes the holistic well-being of students, seeing spiritual health as integral to overall development.

However, this argument is fiercely contested by civil liberties groups and legal scholars who maintain the program fundamentally violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina (ACLU-SC) remains a vocal opponent, arguing the program effectively endorses religion within the public school system. Allison Morrison, lead attorney for the ACLU-SC, explains, "The very presence of state-funded chaplains sends a message that certain beliefs are favored, creating an exclusionary environment for students who hold different faiths, or no faith at all. This isn't about denying anyone support; it's about ensuring that support isn't delivered with a religious agenda." The ACLU-SC, alongside other organizations, has filed multiple lawsuits challenging the program's constitutionality, alleging both Establishment Clause violations and potential coercion of students.

The 40-hour training program for chaplains, initially implemented to address concerns about unqualified individuals entering schools, has come under scrutiny as inadequate. While the curriculum covers topics like crisis intervention, active listening, and ethical boundaries, critics argue it fails to sufficiently address the complexities of navigating religious diversity within a public school setting. Elizabeth Ford, a constitutional law professor at the University of South Carolina, points out, "The training is simply not robust enough to guarantee chaplains won't cross the line into proselytization, even unintentionally. A 40-hour course cannot fully equip someone to navigate the sensitive religious landscape of a diverse student body without violating constitutional principles." Calls for increased oversight, independent monitoring, and more comprehensive training are growing louder.

Beyond the legal battles, the program faces practical challenges. Concerns have been raised regarding the vetting process for chaplains, ensuring they meet specific qualifications beyond religious affiliation. Reports surfaced in late 2025 of several chaplains with questionable backgrounds being approved, prompting a temporary halt in new appointments while the state reviewed its screening procedures. Furthermore, logistical issues related to chaplain coverage in rural and underfunded school districts have emerged, creating disparities in access to these services.

The debate has spilled over into national discussions about the role of faith in public education, mirroring similar programs being considered in other states. Advocates for school choice and parental rights often champion initiatives like South Carolina's, while opponents warn of a slippery slope toward the erosion of the separation of church and state. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the issue within the next year, potentially setting a precedent for similar programs nationwide. The future of South Carolina's chaplain program, and the broader conversation about faith and public education, remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: this issue is far from resolved.