Texas Schools Split as Ten Commandments Law Sparks Resignations and Lawsuits

A new Texas law requiring public schools to hang the Ten Commandments has sparked major conflict across the state. Some teachers, like Fort Worth theater teacher Gigi Cervantes, resigned rather than post religious doctrine in their classrooms. Others, like history teacher Dustin Parsons, welcomed the posters as part of teaching America’s founding principles.

The rollout has been chaotic. Courts have blocked more than two dozen districts from displaying the posters, ruling the mandate violates the First Amendment. Still, many schools moved ahead, putting up donated posters or printing their own.

The law has divided communities: supporters say the commandments teach morality, while critics argue it pressures non-Christian students and crosses constitutional lines. Some teachers fear consequences if they refuse, and others worry about how to explain the posters to students.

The tension has spread to school boards, parents, and students themselves — even leading to additional resignations, like a high school band director who said religion doesn’t belong in public schools. As lawsuits continue and the issue heads toward the Supreme Court, Texas classrooms remain caught in the middle of a growing national debate over religion in public education.