Charter school orders teacher to remove Bible verse display

A Connecticut public charter school has told one of its teachers to remove the Bible verse on her profile outside the classroom following a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

Last June, the FFRF wrote a letter to the board of directors of Jumoke Academy Charter School in Hartford, Connecticut to complain about a verse that was displayed outside one of the classrooms. The verse in question, Philippians 4:13, read "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me."

The atheist group argued that the display was unconstitutional and inappropriate, noting that roughly 30 percent of Americans and 44 percent of millennials are not Christians.

The FFRF asserted in its letter that the display of the verse implies a preference for Christianity over atheism and other religions. The letter pointed out that the Supreme Court has repeatedly noted that schools are not allowed to promote religious messages.

"Public schools may not advance, prefer or promote religion. Courts have continually held that school districts may not display religious messages or iconography in public schools," FFRF Managing Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert wrote.

"The display alienates those nonreligious students, families, teachers, and members of the public whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the messages being promoted by the school," she added.

In response to the complaint, Troy Monroe, executive director of Jumoke Academy, wrote back to the FFRF on Nov. 7, informing the group that the school had investigated the employee, and the display has since been removed.

"In addition, the school-based leadership team was informed of these expectations and our district's legal counsel conducted a workshop for the entire school staff," Monroe stated in the letter.

FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said that she was pleased by the attention that the school had given to the group's complaint.

"Our mission to remind public institutions of the First Amendment is made worthwhile when they actually listen to us," she said.

The FFRF boasts of 24,000 members across the U.S. including more than 200 members in Connecticut.