A Connecticut teacher with over three decades of service has been suspended after refusing to take down a crucifix she's displayed in her classroom for ten years, a move religious liberty advocates argue violates her constitutional rights.
Marisol Arroyo-Castro, a teacher at DiLoreto Elementary and Middle School in New Britain, was placed on administrative leave. The district alleges her display of a crucifix near her desk violated laws mandating religious neutrality in public schools.
Arroyo-Castro, who has taught for 32 years, contends the crucifix is a personal memento and a symbol of her faith.
"Having the crucifix in view at her desk brought her daily calm," her attorneys wrote in a letter to district officials. They also argue her actions are protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
"The matter involves the teacher's decision to prominently display a religious symbol—a crucifix—on the front wall of her public-school classroom, which violates both federal and state laws requiring public schools to remain neutral in religious matters," New Britain Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper wrote in a statement obtained by WTNH.
Gasper also claims the display led to discomfort among students and staff, with reports suggesting some felt the classroom environment was overly influenced by Arroyo-Castro's beliefs.
"We will not allow any teacher to use their position of authority to impose their personal religious beliefs or infringe on the civil rights of our students," Gasper added. The district argues the crucifix's placement, alongside allegations of religious influence in teaching, prompted concerns from families of different faiths.
Arroyo-Castro is represented by the law firm WilmerHale and First Liberty Institute, organizations known for their work in defending religious freedom, including the landmark Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, where a football coach won his case after being terminated for leading prayers on the field.
In an email to Gasper, the organizations pointed to discrepancies in how personal items are treated in classrooms, noting other teachers display items like Santa Claus images, Wonder Woman posters, and biblical citations without similar scrutiny.
"The Supreme Court made clear in Kennedy that a public-school teacher's reasonable religious expression may not be infringed upon merely because such expression takes place on school property, visible to others. But in Kennedy and myriad other cases, the Court also has made clear that religious expression does not take second-class status compared to secular speech," Arroyo-Castro's attorneys wrote.
The email outlines that Arroyo-Castro was asked to move the crucifix to a hidden spot under her desk to address the district's concerns. While she initially complied, she later returned the crucifix to its original spot. This act was later described as insubordination and led to her suspension.
"Throughout her school days, looking at the crucifix provided her with peace and strength," her attorneys added.
Arroyo-Castro remains on paid administrative leave while discussions between her and the union continue.
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