Paxton Takes Galveston ISD to Court for Delaying Ten Commandments Displays in Classrooms

On Friday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Galveston Independent School District, alleging that the district has breached a newly enacted state law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, despite the law encountering several challenges in federal court.

The lawsuit marks the state's initial legal step against a school district regarding the enforcement of Senate Bill 10, which became effective on September 1. The law requires that Texas public schools accept and prominently display posters or framed copies of the Ten Commandments in each classroom.

In June, Gov. Greg Abbott enacted the bill, just one day after a federal appeals court in Louisiana declared a comparable law “plainly unconstitutional.”

Following the implementation of SB 10, state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, presented framed copies of the Ten Commandments to the Galveston ISD. However, the district’s board of trustees decided in late October to postpone the display, citing ongoing federal litigation over the law’s legality.

“We will carefully observe any potential litigation and seek advice from our legal counsel before making additional decisions,” a district spokesperson stated. “We continue to prioritize enhancing instruction, fostering a culture of respect, and ensuring a safe environment for both students and staff.”

In August, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery declared the law unconstitutional in a case concerning 11 Texas school districts, stating it “crosses the line from exposure to coercion.” His order placed a temporary hold on the enforcement of the law in those districts. More families have subsequently initiated legal action against an additional 14 school districts.

In light of Biery’s ruling, Paxton instructed all school districts not involved in the lawsuits to adhere to the new law. On Friday, he charged Galveston ISD with violating both state law and Texas values.

“America is a Christian nation, and we must embody the values and enduring truths that have historically steered the success of our country,” Paxton stated in a news release. “In choosing not to adhere to the law, Galveston ISD has openly disregarded the Legislature and the ethical foundation of our nation.”

Paxton further contended that “there is no valid legal basis” for districts to postpone compliance, asserting that the phrase “separation of church and state” is not found in the U.S. Constitution.

Proponents of SB 10 argue that the Ten Commandments embody essential legal and moral principles. Critics, such as historians and religious scholars, say that the law obscures the constitutional boundaries separating church and state.

A federal appeals court is set to hear oral arguments regarding the Texas and Louisiana cases in January, potentially leading to a noteworthy constitutional confrontation before the U.S. Supreme Court.

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