School Reverses Course On Good News Club
HAYWARD, Calif. — The Hayward Unified School District has agreed to allow a Christian Good News Club to meet immediately after school at Park Elementary after initially restricting the group’s access.
The decision came after Liberty Counsel intervened on behalf of the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), arguing the district was denying the club equal treatment compared to other after-school programs.
CEF submitted a request in April 2026 for its Good News Club to meet after school, but district officials initially said the group could not gather until after 6 p.m., citing concerns over scheduling conflicts and campus security. However, Liberty Counsel noted that other non-school programs, including “Girls on the Run,” were permitted to meet earlier and argued the Christian club was legally entitled to equal access.
Following the legal advocacy, the district approved the request, and the Good News Club held its first meeting at Park Elementary on May 14.
Good News Clubs, operated by Child Evangelism Fellowship, are free after-school programs led by screened volunteers that provide Bible lessons, character development, and activities for children with parental permission.
“We commend the Hayward Unified School District for ensuring equal access for Child Evangelism Fellowship’s after-school Good News Clubs,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “The First Amendment and Equal Access Act do not allow for excluding a Christian club in a forum where other non-curricular programs are permitted.”
