TEXAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing a school district over allegedly refusing to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
What You Need To Know
Paxton announced the lawsuit against Galveston Independent School District on Friday. He alleges that the district is refusing to comply with a new Texas law that went into effect on Sept. 1 requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom
The law requires the district to put up any donated posters that meet the requirements. Paxton said in his lawsuit that state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, donated displays of the Ten Commandments that complied with the law
The Galveston ISD Board of Trustees during their meeting on Oct. 22 voted to “delay the posting of the donated Ten Commandments posters until after the appeals of the constitutionality of SB10 are fully heard and decided upon,” the agenda says
The board cited a lawsuit, Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District, which is currently working its way through the court system. In August, federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in that case blocking the law from taking effect for the 11 districts featured in the lawsuit
Paxton announced the lawsuit against Galveston Independent School District on Friday. He alleges that the district is refusing to comply with a new Texas law that went into effect on Sept. 1 requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
The law requires the district to put up any donated posters that meet the requirements. Paxton said in his lawsuit that state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, donated displays of the Ten Commandments that complied with the law.
The Galveston ISD Board of Trustees during their meeting on Oct. 22 voted to “delay the posting of the donated Ten Commandments posters until after the appeals of the constitutionality of [the law] are fully heard and decided upon,” the agenda says.
The board cited a lawsuit, Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District, which is currently working its way through the court system. In August, federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in that case blocking the law from taking effect for the 11 districts featured in the lawsuit.
At the time, Paxton called the ruling “flawed” and said he intended to appeal.
“America is a Christian nation, and it is imperative that we display the very values and timeless truths that have historically guided the success of our country,” said Paxton in a news release. “By refusing to follow the law, Galveston ISD chose to both blatantly ignore the Legislature and also ignore the legal and moral heritage of our nation.”
Another lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of 15 nonreligious and multi-faith families challenging the law back in September. A federal judge in San Antonio heard arguments in that case this week.
Texas is not the only state in a legal battle over putting the Ten Commandments in public schools. A federal appeals court in Louisiana blocked a similar law saying it was “unconstitutional,” and a judge in Arkansas told four school districts they could not put up the posters.