Grandparents Accuse School of Barring Special Needs Child From Reading Bible In Class

The grandparents of a child with Down Syndrome are chiding a California school district after teachers reportedly told the student that he could not read the Bible during class.

Craig and Lori Nordal of Encinitas, California, have retained the National Center for Law & Policy after they claim their grandson, Noah McMahon, was reportedly told that he could not read the Bible in class while attending La Costa Heights Elementary School. The Nordals are the legal guardians of McMahon.

Dean Broyles, an attorney with the law firm, told the Union Times San Diego that the Nordals were told during a meeting with school officials earlier this month that Noah was not allowed to read the Bible in school, regardless of it was during instructional time or free time.

 "The Nordals were told in no uncertain terms during the [Individualized Education Plan] meeting that Noah could not read his Bible in class for any purpose — period," Broyles said.

The school district is arguing, however, that there was a miscommunication between the Nordals and school officials during the November 6 meeting, and that Noah is allowed to read the Bible during non-instructional times.

 "At no time did any of our staff deny the child the right to bring his bible to school and read it during free time reading," Encinitas Union School District Superintendent Timothy B. Baird said in a statement.

Baird added that the Nordals were actually requesting that the Bible be used as a teaching tool for other students in the class. The grandparents were told by teachers that this could not happen because the school is public, and therefore they could not teach a religious book.