In a significant victory for religious freedom in public schools, three Virginia teachers, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, have reached a settlement with the Harrisonburg City School Board over their right to address students in accordance with their religious beliefs. The agreement, finalized on December 10, 2024, resolves a two-year legal battle that began when the district implemented policies requiring teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns and names without parental notification.
The agreement reached in Figliola v. The School Board of The City of Harrisonburg grants three educators, Deborah Figliola, Kristine Marsh, and Laura Nelson, the right to opt out of requesting students’ pronouns and to decline using pronouns that don’t align with students’ biological sex. The settlement also includes the school district’s statement affirming transparency with parents and its pledge to inform staff of their options.
Prior to the settlement, the school board had instructed teachers to follow specific protocols through staff training sessions tied to its nondiscrimination policy. Teachers were required to implement three practices: asking students about their preferred names and pronouns, using these preferences regardless of biological sex, and maintaining this practice without informing or getting permission from parents. Teachers who failed to comply faced potential disciplinary consequences, up to and including losing their jobs.
What is Alliance Defending Freedom?
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, marriage and family, and the sanctity of life.
Alliance Defending Freedom Church & Ministry Alliance, a branch of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), provides legal services for defending religious organizations’ basic freedoms, working to protect their right to operate according to their faith principles.
In a statement on Alliance Defending Media, Kate Anderson, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom and director of their Center for Parental Rights, stated,“Deb, Kris, and Laura—like all teachers—are protected under the Constitution to do their job in alignment with their religious beliefs, including how they refer to their students and the vital information they share with parents. We are pleased to favorably resolve this case on behalf of our clients and ensure that the Harrisonburg City School Board will respect every teacher’s right to speak consistent with her faith.”
This settlement follows a similar Alliance Defending Freedom case in Virginia, Vlaming v. West Point School Board, where the West Point School Board agreed to pay $575,000 to settle a lawsuit with a former teacher who was fired for avoiding pronoun usage with a student. That case resulted in a Virginia Supreme Court decision affirming strong free speech and religious exercise protections for public employees.