The New York Times reports on a settlement between the Kearny Board of Education in New Jersey and the parents of Matthew LaClair, a 17-year-old junior at the school. In this case, LaClair recorded a public teacher saying in the classroom "that only Christians had a place in heaven[and] that the Big Bang and evolution theories were not scientific, " among other things. LaClair recorded the remarks and turned the recording over to the school. Jews on First has a backgrounder on this story.
Here are some of the terms of the settlement:
As part of the settlement, in which neither side admits wrongdoing, the New Jersey regional office of the Anti-Defamation League will start training teachers and students in September about keeping church and state separate in public schools, and about “the distinction between the scientific theory of evolution and the religious doctrine of creationism.”
Another part of the deal says the board will make a public statement commending Matthew for his “courage and integrity,” and the LaClairs will issue a statement commending the board.
The settlement does not address the status of Mr. Paszkiewicz, 39, who has remained a history teacher at the high school. Mr. Paszkiewicz, who is also a Baptist youth pastor, had his classes switched in the middle of the school year so as not to have Matthew as a student.
Kenneth J. Lindenfelser, the lawyer for the Kearny school board, had some interesting comments on the settlement. He said it "created remedies that go further than any court has gone." If I find a copy of the settlement, I'll post it.
I'm glad to hear that the school board has agreed to support education on these issues. And I'm glad to hear that the school will commend LaClair, who says he has received a death threat and been ostracized and bullied by some of his classmates. If they haven't done so already, I hope a variety of Christian communities in New Jersey will extend a hand of friendship to Matthew and the LaClair family and condemn any threats of violence, shunning, or bullying that have been associated with these events.
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