The Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to hear two California cases on whether teachers at religious schools may sue for alleged discrimination. WASHINGTON — In 2014, Kristen Biel told her principal at St. James Catholic School in Torrance that she had breast cancer and would need time off for chemotherapy. The school dismissed her two months later, citing concerns for “classroom management.” Biel sued. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court announced it would hear an appeal by the school that pits religious freedom against anti-discrimination law: Does the 1st Amendment’s protection for the “free exercise of religion” shield religious schools from being sued by their teachers? In Biel’s case, the school said her suit, which alleged violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act, should be dismissed based on the 1st Amendment. A divided 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused and cleared the case to proceed. Biel died earlier this year, but the suit continued on behalf of her husband, Darryl Biel. Along with her case, the justices said they would consider another suit from California, which began when Agnes Morrissey-Berru lost her teaching position at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Hermosa Beach. The school cited enrollment declines, but she sued […]
