SW News: The governing board of the Washington Elementary School District in the American State of Arizona has reversed its decision to ban Arizona Christian University student teachers from public school classrooms because they practice biblical Christianity. This was included in the settlement agreement for a religious discrimination lawsuit the University filed against the school district.

In February, the five-member governing body comprising three homosexual members banned the student teachers from public school classrooms as they practiced biblical Christianity. In addition, the school district voted to sever its 11-year partnership with the University after some members voiced concerns about the University's Catholic stance.

However, the agreement was reached two months after Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit alleging a First Amendment violation. The University was granted an additional five years of student teaching experience, which must be renewed annually, under the new placement agreement that allows Christian student teachers to return to the classroom. The school district also consented to pay $25,000 in legal expenses.

ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of US Litigation David Cortman said the school district violated the United States Constitution's First Amendment and the state's law protecting religious freedom.

ADF's attorneys said that the school district's actions violate state and the First Amendment law and do a disservice to the district's kids. With Washington Elementary School District administrators making Christian University choose between its religious convictions and cooperating with the local public schools, they are doing irreparable harm to the institution Cortman claimed.

After reaching the agreement, he said that the governing body did the "right thing by prioritizing the needs of elementary school children and agreeing to partner once again with ACU's student-teachers."