A Connecticut public school teacher was suspended and threatened with firing after refusing to remove a small cross near her desk, the religious freedom law firm representing her said in a statement.
Marisol Arroyo Castro, a veteran teacher of more than 30 years and a devout Catholic, is reportedly the victim of religious discrimination.
“The Supreme Court has made clear that the days of intimidating teachers for even the most benign expressions of faith are over.”
A June 2024 teacher performance review touted Mr. Castro as an “outstanding” teacher. [her class] The students “showed growth'' in response to high expectations.
Castro regularly received “proficient” or “exemplary” ratings as a teacher at DiLoreto Elementary and Middle School in New Britain, Connecticut, according to the First Liberty Institute.
Castro reportedly had a small cross displayed next to his desk for about 10 years. The grandmother of five is said to have received the cross as a keepsake from the family of a deceased friend.
Castro cherishes the cross and considers it part of her personal and religious identity. She said seeing the cross near her desk brought daily calm, peace, and strength, especially during difficult school days.
This year, Castro hung a cross under the whiteboard near his desk. Above the cross are students' work and a sign that reads, “If you don't try, you won't change.”
First Liberty Institute
On December 3, 2024, Andrew Mazzei, vice principal at DiLoreto Elementary and Middle School, allegedly sent an email to Mr. Castro about a cross hanging in a classroom. Mazzei reportedly requested the meeting citing “concerns” about the small cross.
Three days after the email was sent, Mr. Castro met with Mr. Mazzei and local union representative Jennifer Pagan. Mr. Castro removed the cross, according to First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit public interest law firm and the nation's largest legal organization “dedicated to protecting the religious freedom of all Americans.” He was ordered to do so.
Two days later, the vice principal visited Castro's classroom and noticed the cross was still on display.
The next day, Castro reportedly met with Mazzei, DiLoreto Principal Dario Soto, New Britain Unified School District Chief of Staff Maryellen Manning, and Ed Levy, a field operative for the American Federation of Teachers.
Administrators allegedly advised Castro to keep the crucifix in his desk drawer and only take it out when he needed to “ground himself.”
By the end of the meeting, administrators decided as a compromise to hang a crucifix under the desk at Mr. Castro's feet. Mr. Castro responded, although he was “shocked.”
First Liberty Institute noticed Another teacher at the school had a coffee mug with a quote from the Bible's Proverbs 3 on her desk, and another teacher's personal bulletin board spotlighted a small photo of a statue of the Virgin Mary.
First Liberty Institute
But Ms. Castro “quickly became ill and distraught,” to the point that others noticed her sobbing minutes before a scheduled parent-teacher conference.
Castro defended his religious beliefs and replaced the cross on the wall on December 11, 2024.
“She did so out of personal conscience, because hiding the cross under a desk would be 'hiding the light under a bushel,'” First Liberty Institute said. letter Sent to the New Britain Unified School District Board of Directors.
The school district reportedly retaliated the same day by issuing a letter of reprimand, calling Castro's actions “insubordination.” The letter allegedly stated that Soto would “come to the classroom to help.” [Ms. Castro] with the cross removed [her] By the end of class.”
Mr. Castro reportedly told Mr. Soto that he would not remove the cross.
But Ms. Soto allegedly told her she had to remove the cross in order to “live” properly. [her] He called on her to show “faith” and “give unto Caesar what is Caesar's.”
Mr. Soto allegedly threatened Mr. Castro with the possibility of suspension or firing for insubordination if he did not defeat the little cross by the next morning.
Mr. Castro is said to have left the cross on the wall, only to discover it had been removed the next morning.
Mr. Castro was called into another meeting with administrators, where Mr. Manning asked the dedicated teacher whether it was in her “best interest” to keep the cross hanging on the wall if she went unpaid for several days. It is said that he told them that it would be useful for them to “reflect'' carefully.
Castro's union representative said on Dec. 13 that if he does not comply with the district's demands, he will be suspended for an additional five days for insubordination, according to First Liberty Institute.
On Dec. 16, Castro sent an email to the New Britain Unified School District stating that he could not in good conscience return to school under the school's terms of placing a cross under his desk.
“However, we understand that Mr. Castro is under pressure to resign or take early retirement and sign an agreement not to sue the district,” First Liberty Institute said. “We also know that the district is threatening to terminate Mr. Castro unless he agrees to hide the cross under his desk or in a similar hidden location.”
“The Establishment Clause does not allow the school district to infringe on Mr. Castro's right to freely exercise his religion,” the First Liberty Institute said in a statement. Under the Constitution, school districts cannot shortcut staff hiring.” There is no right to free speech, no right to free exercise of religion. ”
New Britain Unified School District said: fox news“Significantly, the displayed symbol was posted on the front wall of the classroom. It was part of the classroom environment visible to all students and violated students' religious freedom.”
“We will not allow any teacher to use their position of authority to impose personal religious beliefs or violate the civil rights of students,” said Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper. said. “Our commitment is to ensure a learning environment where all students feel valued.”
The district said Castro has been placed on paid administrative leave while administrators work to resolve the matter in a “cooperative and collaborative manner.”
“Requiring teachers to purge their workplaces of religious content is blatant discrimination in violation of the First Amendment,” said Keisha Russell, senior adviser at First Liberty Institute. did.
“The Supreme Court has made clear that the days of intimidating teachers for even the most well-intentioned expressions of faith are over,” Russell continued. “Requiring teachers to remove religious material from the workplace is an affront to the First Amendment and violates both state and federal law. School districts need to back down now.”
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