Running head: THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 1

The Karen White Scenario

Jonathan B. Wood

College of Southern Nevada

THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 2

Abstract

The Karen White Scenario depicts what could occur in a classroom setting when a teacher

disagrees on religious undertones being forced upon her in the school setting. We will be

exploring various court cases that discuss whether the school could potential be discriminating

her personal religious beliefs and what type of judgment could be possibly reached after

reviewing them.
THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 3

The Karen White Scenario

Karen White, a kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school, was dismissed from her

position after she reported that she could no longer participate in certain activities in the

classroom due to her religious beliefs. These activities included no longer decorating the

classroom for holidays, planning gift exchanges, singing “Happy Birthday” or reciting the pledge

of allegiance. Principal Bill Ward allegedly dismissed her on the grounds of effectively meeting

the needs of her students.

The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (Cambron-McCabe et all, 41).

In the above scenario, this Amendment would certainly apply as it is stated that the First

Amendment gives citizens freedom of religion and freedom to practice their religion. The First

Amendment also contains the Free Exercise Clause, which challenges secular government

regulations that impair the practice of religious beliefs. The fourteenth Amendment is also

discussed in this scenario as it places specific restrictions on state action impairing personal

rights.

Pro

In Abington Township, Pennsylvania students at a local school were required to recite

bible verses prior to class starting. The class was required to read at least 10 bible verses between

the hours of 8:15 and 8:30 am and were then required to recite the Lord’s Prayer. The school

reportedly excused students from this requirement if they had signed consent from their

parent/guardian (Abington Township v. Shempp, 1963). The Schempp family, who was strictly
THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 4

atheist, protested the idea of requiring students to read bible passages and it turn filed suit against

the school. The District Court ruled in favor of the family, as it violated the 14th Amendment

stating a separation between church and state.

In 1979, in a Sioux Falls Elementary School, kindergarteners rehearsed and

performed a Christmas pageant. The pageant consisted of songs and rehearsed lines, which spoke

of Christmas themes, included information regarding the birth of Christ. Roger Florey, a parent

of one of the children filed suit, stating that the school had crossed a boundary between church

and state and that the school should not be allowed to recite and/or sing about subjects which

may be considered religious (Florey v. Sioux Falls, 1979). The District Court overturned the

decision, siding with Sioux Falls School District. The Court reported that while the pageant had

religious undertones, due to the nature of the holiday season, it was not uncommon to see such

performances in the school setting.

Con

Joethelia Palmer, a kindergarten teacher in the city of Chicago, allegedly attempted to file

a suit against the Chicago Board of Education after she felt she was wrongfully terminated after

she allegedly refused to participate in any activities which may have any kind of religious

message, as well as refusing to participate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with the class

(Palmer v. Board of Education, 1979). The Board of Education reported that Palmer had

approached the principal at the beginning of the school year, stating that she would not be able to

participate in certain activities due to her religion. The school reportedly placed an aide in the

classroom to accommodate Palmer and lead the students in the Pledge of Allegiance or help
THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 5

coordinate arrangements for holidays. While this arrangement was effective most of the time,

during the times that no aid was available, Palmer did not follow through and the children were

“disorderly” and “unmanageable”. Multiple attempts were made by the school to accommodate

Palmer, however, parents began to complain, stating that their children were not being

effectively education in Palmer’s classroom. The District Court sided with the School Board,

stating that Palmer had been given multiple accommodations and continued to lack in regards to

educating the students in her classroom.

A West Virginia school board adopted a policy requiring that all students salute the

American flag and recite the pledge of Allegiance. Students who refused to do so could be

expelled, and parent/guardians could potentially lose custody of their children. A group of

Jehovah’s witness felt that being required to salute the flag was unconstitutional, as is violated

the First and Fourteenth Amendment regarding due clause and freedom of speech (W. VA Board

of Education v. Barnette, 1943). The District Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiff, stating that it

was a violation of the student’s freedom of speech to be required to salute the flag and recite the

pledge of allegiance.

Judgement

In the original scenario involving Karen White, more information is needed in regards to

her termination. If her termination was based solely on the fact that she refused to participate in

any kind of holiday functions due to her religious practices, she may have grounds to file a case

based on discrimination and the school not respecting her personal beliefs. However, if the

school attempted to accommodate White in her classroom by placing an aide or some other
THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 6

school staff in the classroom to assist with holiday functions and activities, she would not have

the legal justification to file suit against the school.

THE KAREN WHITE SCENARIO 7

References

Cambron-McCabe, McCarthy, & Eckes (2014). Legal Rights of Teachers and Students. Pp. 41-70

First Amendment Schools: The Five Freedoms - Court Case. (2006). Retrieved October 14,

2015, from http://www.firstamendmentschools.org/freedoms/case.aspx?id=442

FLOREY v. SIOUX FALLS SCH. DIST. 49-5. (2015). Retrieved October 14, 2015, from

http://www.leagle.com/decision/19791375464FSupp911_11231/FLOREY v. SIOUX

FALLS SCH. DIST. 49-5

PALMER v. BOARD OF ED. OF CITY OF CHICAGO. (2015). Retrieved October 14, 2015,

from http://www.leagle.com/decision/19791066466FSupp600_1966/PALMER v.

BOARD OF ED. OF CITY OF CHICAGO

School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania v. Schempp. (2015). Retrieved October 14,

2015, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/374/203#.Vh7YCVUViko