Highline Public Schools in Washington state is facing a federal lawsuit filed by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) on behalf of a Christian student who alleges that the district has repeatedly violated her constitutional rights. The legal action centers on a mandatory school assembly held on May 29, during which the student was forced to remain despite the content conflicting with her religious beliefs. According to the ACLJ, the student, who was distressed by the material, was told she had “no choice” but to return to the assembly after a teacher attempted to excuse her. The lawsuit alleges violations of the First and 14th Amendments, as well as the Washington state constitution, arguing that the district failed to provide parental notification for the event, which the family would have otherwise objected to.
The lawsuit asserts that this incident is part of an ongoing pattern of religious hostility and viewpoint discrimination by the district. The ACLJ reports that it had previously sent three demand letters to the school regarding earlier disputes, including allegations that officials had searched the student’s belongings for religious materials when she was in second grade and later restricted her from distributing Gospel tracts at school. Despite previous assurances from the district that the student would be permitted to exercise her faith freely, the ACLJ contends that the school has continued to target the student’s beliefs. Through this litigation, the organization is seeking federal court intervention to address what it describes as a persistent refusal by the district to respect the student’s religious freedom and the rights of her parents to direct her upbringing.
NOT THE FIRST TIME WITH SAME STUDENT
Religious Expression Dispute at North Hill Elementary – March 7, 2022
A conflict has emerged between the parents of a second-grade student at North Hill Elementary in Des Moines, Washington, and school administrators regarding the student’s religious expression on campus.
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), representing the family, alleges that school officials repeatedly reprimanded the student for sharing her Christian faith and searching her backpack for religious literature. The ACLJ argues these actions violate the student’s First Amendment rights, noting that district policy only restricts student expression if it disrupts classroom or assembly settings, not the playground.
In response, Highline Public Schools disputes the ACLJ’s account. Chief Communications Officer Catherine Carbone Rogers stated that the student was never banned from discussing her faith, but was instructed to respect the wishes of classmates who did not wish to participate. The district cited reports from parents and students claiming the child was causing emotional distress by discussing “Satan and Hell,” standing on playground equipment, and distributing unauthorized materials. The school district maintains its right to restrict expression to ensure a safe, non-disruptive environment for all students.
The ACLJ has issued a demand letter to the district and is prepared to pursue legal action if the school does not take corrective measures to protect the student’s religious liberties.
