US News
Nashville charter school network removes LGBT-themed books following teacher's religious dispute
KIPP Nashville cleared a former teacher's disciplinary record and updated its accommodation policies after legal intervention.
The short version
- KIPP Nashville voluntarily removed elementary school library books featuring LGBT themes following a dispute over religious accommodations.
- The decision follows legal action by First Liberty Institute on behalf of Eric Rivera, a first-grade teacher who was disciplined for declining to read a book about same-sex parents.
- KIPP Nashville expunged Rivera's disciplinary warning and agreed to allow teachers to request colleagues read materials that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Key facts
- KIPP Nashville removed books promoting same-sex marriage from its elementary school libraries.[Fox News]
- First-grade teacher Eric Rivera received a final warning letter in February after refusing to read a children's book featuring same-sex parents at KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary School.[Fox News]
- Following a demand letter from the First Liberty Institute citing First Amendment and state protections, KIPP Nashville cleared Rivera's disciplinary record.[Fox News]
- The school network established a policy permitting teachers to ask colleagues to read curriculum materials that conflict with their faith.[Fox News]