In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith

Brenda Nichol won this lawsuit, however, it makes you wonder what is really being said by the statement “get rid of its rule prohibiting dress or jewelry that has a religious significance.” Since Christianity is not the only religion going, it makes you wonder what kind of community backlash will occur from this ruling. Maybe I am just being a little pessimistic. I am glad that God is absolutely Sovereign.

Indiana County teacher’s aide Brenda Nichol, suspended for wearing a cross in school, has won back her job permanently under a settlement reached yesterday in U.S. District Court.

Nichol, an aide at Penns Manor Elementary School, and her lawyers from the Virginia-based American Center for Law & Justice got everything they wanted.

As part of a joint stipulation agreement, Nichol’s employer, ARIN Intermediate Unit 28, agreed to remove any mention of the incident from her work record and get rid of its rule prohibiting dress or jewelry that has a religious significance.

The settlement essentially makes permanent a preliminary injunction approved in June by U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

Schwab had ruled that Nichol, 43, of Glen Campbell, must be returned to her job at Penns Manor with full back pay and benefits and said the order would stay in effect until a hearing.

Instead of a hearing, though, the parties hashed out an agreement, which still must be approved by ARIN officials next month.

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Filed under: Law