ADF attorneys settle favorably on behalf of Lindsey Barr, who was dismissed for raising concerns about a picture book shown to young children
Monday April 24, 2023
SAVANNAH, Ga. – To settle a lawsuit filed by a fired Georgia substitute teacher, officials at McAllister Elementary and Bryan County School have agreed to reinstate her, pay $181,000 in damages and attorneys’ fees, and publicly express their regret at the violation of their constitutionally protected liberties expressed.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys are representing Lindsey Barr. Officials at Bryan County Schools fired her as a substitute teacher simply because, as a parent, she raised concerns about drawings in a picture book presented to students, including her own young children, at McAllister Elementary School during a library read-aloud program. The book All Are Welcome contains several illustrations of same-sex couples becoming parents and expecting children.
“Lindsey spoke out as a Christian, mother and individual on an important issue — namely the content and age appropriateness of a picture book the school wanted to read to her children and other elementary-age children with whom she had conflicts with her family’s values and beliefs.” . However, school officials immediately retaliated against her for expressing these views and fired her from a job in which she excelled,” said ADF Senior Counsel Philip A. Sechler. “We commend the school district for finally doing the right thing and understanding that the First Amendment protects the right of Lindsey — and all public employees — to air their concerns about what schools are teaching children without the government canceling them.” .”
As part of the settlement agreement, the Bryan County Schools Superintendent issued a letter to Barr announcing the reinstatement of her teaching position: “Upon your return, we encourage you as parents to raise concerns about the material being taught to your children,” wrote the superintendent. “Raising such concerns does not preclude employment in our district. Going forward, we are focused on the value you bring as a substitute teacher to children across the district. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by your separation from the school district.”
“The termination of a teacher who engages in First Amendment protected speech creates an atmosphere of fear and sends a message to the teacher and others in the community when they criticize the school’s approach to cultural or political issues or express views who disagree with the school’s preferred views will face consequences,” said ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer, director of the ADF Center for Academic Freedom. “It’s unlawful and that’s why we had to file a lawsuit in Lindsey’s situation. The settlement approved by the school district is a victory for Lindsey, the families of Bryan County Schools and the fundamental right of every parent to speak out about their children.”
Barr’s situation underscores the need for Georgia’s new law, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which recognizes the “fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their minor children” and gives them the “right to review all educational materials intended for they are intended for use in the classroom of his or her minor child.” This statute directs every board of education, including the Bryan County Board of Education, to “establish procedures for parents to object to educational materials intended for use in the classroom of his or hers intended for or recommended by the teacher of his or her minor child”.
Given the settlement in the lawsuit, Barr v. Tucker, ADF attorneys filed a mandatory discharge Monday.
Keri M. Martin, one of more than 4,700 attorneys on the ADF Attorney Network, acted as local counsel on Barr’s behalf.
- Pronunciation aid: Sechler (SECK-nap); Langhofer (LANG’-hoff clock)
Alliance Defending Freedom is a non-profit, alliance-forming organization dedicated to protecting freedom of religion, free speech, parental rights and the sanctity of life.
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