Texas Schools Face Challenges Amid Ten Commandments Law

Texas schools are grappling with the implications of a new law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The law, which took effect in September, has prompted significant debate and controversy, leading some educators to resign in protest while others struggle to comply amid ongoing legal challenges.

Legal Challenges and School Responses

High school theater teacher Gigi Cervantes resigned from her position rather than comply with the law, expressing her discomfort with imposing religious doctrine on students. “I just was not going to be a part of forcing or imposing religious doctrine onto my students,” Cervantes stated. Texas is leading the nation in efforts to implement this measure, which has resulted in a rush to navigate the Republican-led mandate. More than two dozen of Texas’s nearly 1,200 school districts have been ordered by federal courts not to post the commandments, as a judge recently ruled that the mandate violates the First Amendment, which guarantees religious liberty.

Despite these legal setbacks, many districts have begun displaying the commandments. For instance, officials in the Frisco Independent School District spent approximately $1,800 to print nearly 5,000 posters, even though the law stipulates that schools must only hang donated displays. In contrast, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District opted to display the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights alongside the Ten Commandments, reflecting a balance between the state law and constitutional rights.

Community Perspectives and Concerns

The law’s passage through the GOP-controlled Legislature has garnered support from several Republican leaders, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. He has recently announced lawsuits against districts that he claims are violating the law, further complicating the situation for school boards. The Galveston Independent School District decided to delay posting the commandments until their constitutionality is resolved, only to face a lawsuit in response.

Supporters of the law argue that the Ten Commandments provide moral guidance. Lorne Liechty, an attorney and county commissioner, raised funds for posters to donate to the Rockwall Independent School District, stating, “These are just really good guides for human behavior.” Parents like Adriana Bonilla echo this sentiment, suggesting that the commandments could assist in teaching respect and responsibility in schools.

However, educators have expressed concerns about the impact of such displays on students from diverse religious backgrounds. Julie Leahy, director of legal services for the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, noted that teachers are seeking guidance on how to navigate student questions regarding the commandments and whether they can also display tenets from other religions. “Generally speaking, the answer is going to be that the teacher should send them back to their family,” Leahy remarked.

In classrooms where the commandments have been displayed, reactions have been mixed. Madison Creed, a 16-year-old student, reported that the posting sparked significant debate among her peers. “Everybody had their opinion about it,” she said, highlighting the division among students regarding the appropriateness of the commandments in public schools. The issue even led to the resignation of the high school band director, Johnnie Cotton, who proclaimed that politics and religion should not intertwine in educational settings.

Cervantes, who left her position after leading her students in a production of Molière’s “The Imaginary Invalid,” reflected on the climate of fear surrounding the issue. “I kind of feel like we are living through a time where people who are in positions to be standing up for things are not standing up, not speaking out,” she said, emphasizing the importance of voicing concerns over potential infringements on students’ rights.

As Texas schools navigate this contentious law, the future of religious displays in public education remains uncertain. The ongoing legal battles may ultimately determine the fate of the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms, as educators and students alike grapple with the implications of this unprecedented mandate.