Government Ruling Determines N.J. School District Wrong to Fire Teacher With Bible

The Liberty Institute is applauding the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for determining that a New Jersey school district was wrong for firing a substitute teacher after he handed a student a Bible.

Walt Tutka was working as a substitute teacher at the Phillipsburg School District in New Jersey when he was fired in October 2013 for giving a Bible to a struggling student. The substitute teacher was fired for violating school policy on distributing religious materials to students.

Ultimately, the EEOC sided with Tutka in the discrimination complaint, saying the school district failed to provide key documents to defend itself against Tutka's claim of discrimination.

Liberty Institute has commended the EEOC ruling in a press release. The ruling was determine earlier in December but not made public until Tuesday.

"The EEOC thoroughly investigated this matter and found that Walt Tutka is a victim of religious discrimination and retaliation and should receive justice," Hiram Sasser, Director of Litigation for Liberty Institute, said in the press release.

The Liberty Institute went on to say it "applauds the EEOC determination on the merits finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that Respondent, the Phillipsburg School District, has discriminated against Charging Party ,Mr. Tutka, on the basis of religion and retaliation."

"Further, the EEOC orders the school district to join with Tutka and itself to find an 'acceptable conciliation agreement' to eliminate its unlawful employment practices, or face other court enforced alternatives," the release adds.