Catholic public school teacher suspended for keeping a crucifix at her desk

A Connecticut school district is facing heat for suspending a Catholic teacher who displayed a crucifix in her workspace.

Marisol Arroyo-Castro, a teacher of over 30 years, had kept a crucifix at her desk for a decade before New Britain Public Schools (NBPS) took issue with it.

According to a letter sent by First Liberty Institute to NBPS on Jan. 21, district staff showed animus towards Castro’s faith. 

“Ms. Castro placed a crucifix in an area of her classroom where other teachers have been permitted to post personal photos of family and pets, inspirational quotes, and pop cultural references,” the letter explains. “Furthermore, she did not use the cross for educational purposes, but only for her private reflection when not actively engaged in teaching.” 

But in December 2024, district leadership told Castro the crucifix was no longer acceptable.  

Despite numerous meetings and threats from her superiors, Castro refused to hide or remove the devotional item. She was subsequently accused of insubordination, suspended and threatened with termination. 

The entire ordeal was emotionally distressing for the Catholic teacher, who was even told by her principal that her crucifix was idol worship. 

First Liberty Institute contends NBPS’s actions were religious discrimination, violating Castro’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and Connecticut law. 

“Requiring a teacher to purge their workspace of anything religious is blatant discrimination that violates the First Amendment,” said Keisha Russell, senior counsel at First Liberty. “Teachers have the right to engage in personal religious expression under the Free Exercise Clause, including when students are present.” 

Furthermore, First Liberty alleges Castro was “pressured to resign or retire early and sign an agreement not to sue the District.” 

The letter cited the case of Joe Kennedy, a public school football coach who had to fight for his right to pray privately after games. Kennedy won his case in the Supreme Court in 2023. 

First Liberty has asked NBPS to reinstate Castro to her teaching position and allow her to continue displaying the crucifix. If it doesn’t, the First Amendment watchdog will pursue legal action. 

So far, the district is refusing to back down.  

Superintendent Tony Casper said in a statement the allegations are “inaccurate and misleading.”  

“To clarify, the matter involves the teacher’s decision to prominently display a religious symbol – a crucifix – on the front wall of her public-school classroom, which violates both federal and state laws requiring public schools to remain neutral in religious matters.”