Galveston ISD says it will keep the Ten Commandments posters out of classrooms despite a lawsuit from the Texas Attorney General. A federal judge separately issued a preliminary injunction requiring several districts to remove the posters, ruling the law mandating the displays likely violates the Establishment Clause.
Galveston ISD announced this week that it will maintain its stance on prohibiting Ten Commandments posters in classrooms, despite facing a lawsuit from the Texas Attorney General and a federal judge's order currently putting the law on hold statewide.
The state has taken legal action against Galveston ISD for its refusal to adhere to Senate Bill 10, a recently enacted Texas law mandating that every public-school classroom showcase the Ten Commandments. On Monday, a judge issued a temporary injunction supporting Galveston ISD, along with 13 other school districts that are contesting the mandate. The situation unfolds as the state moves forward with its appeal.
In a distinct yet connected matter, U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction mandating that multiple school districts take down the Ten Commandments posters that were distributed by Dec. 1. The ruling additionally prohibits the districts from displaying new posters during the ongoing lawsuit.
Garcia stated that “showing the Ten Commandments on the wall of a public-school classroom as outlined in S.B. 10 breaches the establishment clause.” He stated that it was “necessary to restrain Defendants from enforcing S.B. 10 throughout their districts to prevent Plaintiffs from facing unwelcome religious displays.” 10 throughout their districts.”
Officials from Galveston ISD announced that the district will adhere to the directives set forth by the court. The district chose not to display the required notices earlier this fall, citing potential constitutional issues with the law. Officials from the superintendent's office have remained silent regarding the state's lawsuit, yet they have expressed the district's commitment to adhere to all federal rulings.
The attorney general’s office contended that S.B. 10 merely strengthens “Texas’s longstanding tradition of acknowledging the role of faith in public life” and affirms that the state would persist in defending the law. State officials announced their intention to challenge the injunction, asserting that the districts are “disregarding their legal responsibilities.”
Legal challenges emerge as educational institutions throughout Texas navigate conflicting state and federal guidelines. Advocates for civil liberties backing the parents' lawsuit argue that the displays represent an endorsement of religion by the government. Proponents of S.B. Proponents of S.B. 10 contend that the legislation reflects cultural heritage and should withstand constitutional scrutiny.
The temporary injunctions do not address the larger constitutional issues, but they halt enforcement until the courts decide on the law's legality. Additional hearings are anticipated in the upcoming months.
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