Student files suit to defend his right to bring Bible to school

San Diego, CA – A former student at Gateway East High School of the Grossmont Union High School District has filed suit against GUHSD, saying he was disciplined and suspended for sharing his faith with fellow students and for bringing his Bible to school. The student is represented by Pacific Justice Institute.

The conflict for Kenneth Dominguez began when he returned from Christmas break in January 2010 and began telling his fellow students about his Christian faith. On several occasions he was reprimanded for doing so and eventually he was told not to bring his Bible to school. An administrator told him that he could not share his Christian faith with fellow students or bring his Bible to school because of separation of church and state. When he continued to discuss his faith and bring his Bible to school he was given a 2 day suspension on February 18, 2010.

The school gave him a form known as a “Corrective Education Referral Form,” which had the following notations:
• “Student was told to stop preaching at school. Student continued after being warned several times.”
• “Student will not bring Bible to school.”

Attorney Michael J. Peffer, who heads the Southern California office of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “No student should be forced to leave his faith and Bible at the gate when he enters school grounds. We are looking forward to this opportunity to vindicate Mr. Dominguez and protect students throughout California.”