Virginia local teachers are no longer required to use students’ preferred pronouns after the settlement

Teachers in Harrisonburg, Virginia, are no longer required to ask for or use student-chosen pronouns after Tuesday’s hearing.

Deborah Figliola, Kristine Marsh and Laura Nelson filed a lawsuit in June 2022 against the Harrisonburg City School Board claiming that their rights protected by the Commonwealth’s Free Speech Clause and Virginia’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act were violated by the enforced speech they oppose. .

The case stems from the training of teachers to ensure that they follow the principles of the non-discrimination council according to the organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) which represented the teachers. The training included requiring teachers to ask for a student’s “preferred” name and pronouns and always use them.

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The teachers said that they are also expected to do this without notifying the parents or asking for their permission. Harrisonburg City Public Schools’ nondiscrimination policy has threatened teachers with disciplinary action and “termination” for noncompliance.

The two sides reached an agreement when the school board granted religious accommodation to teachers on Tuesday.

In the interview, the school board maintained that it does not require staff to request or use the names and pronouns of students’ choice and “[do] we do not support hiding or withholding information from parents.” The board agreed to continue informing employees about available religious accommodations.

ADF senior attorney Kate Anderson, director of the ADF Center for Parental Rights, said all teachers are protected “under the Constitution to do their job in accordance with their beliefs, including how they convey to their students and the important information they share with them.” parents.”

“We are pleased to settle this case on behalf of our clients and ensure that the Harrisonburg City School Board will respect every teacher’s right to speak according to their faith,” Anderson said.

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The Alliance Defending Freedom won a legal victory in Rockingham County District Court on Tuesday, representing Christian teachers who challenged Harrisonburg City Public Schools.

The Harrisonburg City Public School Board said in a statement, “The Harrisonburg City School Division is pleased to see this case resolved. From the beginning, we have been focused on supporting all students and staff with dignity and respect. Before the lawsuits began, we have been focused on supporting all students and staff with dignity and respect. They were open dealing with accommodation for various needs, as evidenced by our communication with the ADF in early 2022.

“Our commitment is reflected in the policies and actions of the School Board, including the adoption of a formal religious accommodation policy (Policy 682) over a year ago and the initiation of staff training this August. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to promoting a respectful and inclusive environment.

“This case comes to an end because the processes we have always encouraged—informal and formal—seem to work well. We are satisfied with this decision and wish it could have happened without a trial.”

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ADF won a similar case in November involving a Virginia school board that fired a teacher for refusing to use student-chosen pronouns.

An ADF representative told Fox News Digital at the time that the repairs had an earthquake effect.

“It protects all Virginia teachers and its cause should guide other courts dealing with similar issues,” said ADF president and CEO Kristen Wagoner.

The board of Virginia-based West Point School agreed to pay former high school teacher Peter Vlaming $575,000 in damages and attorney’s fees after he refused to call a transgender student by his nickname.