Edgewood ISD was one of two school districts that provided statements, saying they have not received donated Ten Commandments posters at this time.
SAN ANTONIO — At least one teachers union and a couple school districts in the San Antonio area are speaking out after Senate Bill 10 – which requires that the Ten Commandments be visible in schools – became law this week in Texas.
Under the new law that took effect Monday, every public elementary and secondary school must display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom. Schools are mandated to accept any donated poster of the Ten Commandments that fits the size guidelines.
School districts aren’t required to use district funds to purchase the posters, but may choose to do so.
KENS 5 reached out several school districts, of which only two were able to provide official statements on their actions in the wake of the new law. One of those was Edgewood ISD, where officials said they have not “received any donations (of Ten Commandments posters) and has not elected to use district funds at this time.”
A spokesperson for Seguin ISD said the district has not received any donated Ten Commandments posters.
Sixteen families from various religious backgrounds filed a federal lawsuit in San Antonio challenging the legislation, arguing it violates the First Amendment and imposes religious content in public schools.
Supporters of the bill have said displaying the Ten Commandments in the classroom honors America’s morals and historical foundation.
In late August, a federal judge implemented a temporary injunction, in turn halting enforcement of SB 10 in 11 school districts, including North East, Northside, Alamo Heights and Lackland ISDs. The judge cited likely violations of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.
Melina Espiritu-Azocar, president of the Northside American Federation of Teachers, noted how even with the pause in implementation of SB 10 at Northside ISD, there’s still fear and worry among union members who work in the classrooms every day.
“Our members have expressed deep-seated concern for them – for the wellbeing of their students, for equity – and are very, very firm on the fact that there should be a separation of church and state and SB 10 is incredibly problematic,” Espiritu-Azocar said. “Not all of our members are of a religious background that utilizes the Ten Commandments. They feel that that SB 10 is unjust, not just to their students, but to them as well.”
Attorney General Ken Paxtion has urged school districts not a part of the temporary injunction to adhere to the law.
Meantime, the ACLU of Texas, which is a member of the coalition of entities representing the 16 families in the civil lawsuit, is reminding all school districts of their rights under the Constitution.
“Technically, the injunction order was directed specifically to the 11 districts listed as defendants. But all school districts have an independent obligation to uphold the constitution,” an ACLU representative said in a statement. “This ruling makes clear that S.B. 10 is unconstitutional, and every school district should take heed of it, even if they are not a defendant in the case.”
It’s now wait-and-see regarding what the future holds for the ongoing litigation. It remains unclear, meanwhile, what the penalties could entail if schools don’t enforce the display of posters of the Ten Commandments.