According to WCAX, the Mid Vermont Christian School has recently taken legal action against the state of Vermont, claiming religious discrimination. The school was excluded from state-run athletics earlier this year because they refused to compete against a team with a transgender student-athlete. The Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the school and two families in this federal lawsuit, arguing that Vermont is violating students’ rights to participate in sports and access the state’s tuition voucher program based on their religious beliefs. Ryan Tucker, spokesperson for the Alliance Defending Freedom, emphasized that Vermont cannot discriminate against a Christian school or its families for practicing their religious beliefs. This dispute stems from the Vermont State Board of Education’s decision last year, which stated that private or independent schools receiving taxpayer funds must not discriminate against LGBTQ students in admissions. The Mid Vermont Christian School refused to comply, citing concerns regarding religious liberty. Tucker further explained that complying with these regulations would require the school to go against their religious convictions.
In towns without schools, families in states like Vermont have the option to receive taxpayer-funded vouchers for their children to attend nearby public, private, or independent schools. However, a lawsuit has been filed claiming that a family was denied a voucher when they tried to enroll their child at Mid Vermont. Constitutional experts have pointed out that this case is different from a previous Supreme Court ruling because the state’s funding decisions are based on rules against discrimination, rather than religious considerations. Jared Carter, a representative from the Vermont Law & Graduate School, stated, “I believe the state will have a stronger argument if its funding decisions are based on rules that prohibit discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, and other factors, rather than on religious grounds.” Although Vermont lawmakers have been working on finding a solution to prevent tax dollars from supporting religious instruction, this lawsuit indicates an ongoing legal battle. Senator Brian Campion, representing D-Bennington County, expressed, “We are currently in the best position we can be in after the Mackin case, and it seems like Mid Christian is unwilling to comply with the state’s regulations.” As of Wednesday, the Vermont Agency of Education and the State Board of Education have not provided any comments on the matter.
