Bremerton school board reaches nearly $2M settlement with praying football coach Joe Kennedy

The Bremerton School Board accepted a nearly $2 million settlement with Joe Kennedy, who was fired for praying on the field. Kennedy is also being reinstated as a high school football coach.

Joseph Kennedy's case about his firing made it all the way up to the Supreme Court -- with the court ruling 6-3 in favor of the coach getting his job back. In an August 2022 ruling, the justices said Kennedy's right to pray on the field was protected by the First Amendment.

In October 2022, a court filing stated that the Bremerton School District must hire him back by March 2023.

"Mr. Kennedy will be an assistant football coach for Bremerton High School for the 2023 season. Mr. Kennedy has completed human resources paperwork and we are awaiting the results of his fingerprinting and background check. Mr. Kennedy will need to complete all training required by WIAA," the district said on its website on March 6.

On March 6, the district announced it reached an agreement to settle Kennedy's attorney fees for $1,775,000. The settlement will be presented to the school board on March 16, where they need to approve it.

"As with any other assistant coach, Mr. Kennedy will be included in coaching staff communication and meetings, spring football practice and other off-season football activities," the district said on its website.... (Read more)

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