DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado continues to face challenges to its common preschool program.
On Thursday, the primary listening to in a lawsuit arguing the legality of the state’s antidiscrimination provision was heard in a U.S. District Court docket.
“I’m hopeful that the choose will permit us to be within the common faculty program whereas persevering with to reside out non secular beliefs as a Christian faculty,” stated Josh Drexler, Darren Patterson Christian Academy’s head of college. “We need to present all of the alternatives we are able to to our workers, our college students and households whereas remaining true to our non secular beliefs. The federal government shouldn’t threaten to exclude us from a state program or in any other case penalize us for our faith.”
Leaders of the Christian faculty in Buena Vista stated they need to have the ability to take part within the state’s common pre-Ok program, however they really feel the state’s necessities to not discriminate are unconstitutional.
“The state promised us a common preschool program, one that’s open to spiritual faculties and non secular households,” stated Jeremiah Galus, ADF senior counsel who represents the varsity. “However to take part with different preschools, the state is requiring Darren Patterson Christian Academy to surrender its non secular beliefs and practices, together with their proper to rent staff who share and reside out its religion.”
State: Colleges should guarantee ‘all children are welcome’
The state doesn’t touch upon pending litigation, however state leaders have lengthy stated discrimination in opposition to anybody due to who they’re doesn’t align with Colorado values. The governor’s workplace issued a press release late Thursday afternoon.
“We’re saddened to see totally different teams of adults making an attempt to co-opt preschool for their very own ends and to discriminate, moderately than making certain that every one children are welcome. Voters had been clear on their help for dad or mum selection and a common, blended supply system that’s independently run, that doesn’t discriminate in opposition to anybody, and gives free preschool to each little one regardless of who their mother and father are. We’ll proceed to make sure that each Colorado little one and household has entry to preschool, meet the wants of all learners, and can vigorously defend this landmark program in court docket in order that much more households can profit from preschool.”
Spokesperson for Gov. Jared Polis’ workplace
ADF Authorized additionally represented Jack Phillips in litigation involving his cake store and Lorie Smith in her case about designing web sites. Whereas this case is just not being heard on the U.S. Supreme Court docket just like the others, attorneys stated they’re hopeful.
“We’re optimistic that we consider that we’re proper, that Darren Patterson has a constitutional proper to take part in authorities profit applications with out giving up its non secular character or its non secular train. So we’re assured in our authorized arguments and we’re hopeful that the district choose right here will do the precise factor,” Galus stated.
Attorneys for Darren Patterson Christian Academy did ask for a preliminary injunction, requesting that the varsity take part in this system till a ruling is made. No selections had been made on Thursday.
