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Parents, teachers and students urge Utah board to rescind language in Resolution 202601 that they say privileges religion
Summary
Dozens of public commenters told the board Resolution 202601 privileges religion in public schools and requested its rescission; speakers brought legal opinions, a petition of 455 signers and personal testimony about harms to nonreligious students.
Speakers during the public comment period asked the Utah State Board of Education to rescind Resolution 202601, which several commenters said suggests religious people are "the only people capable of sustaining a free nation." Public speakers presented a petition, a lawyerletter arguing the resolution is unconstitutional and personal testimony alleging that the language has harmed students.
Douglas Hendrickx and other teachers told the board they had circulated petitions and legal analysis and urged the board to remove or rewrite parts of the resolution that they said elevate religion above secular commitments in public-school settings. David Whitaker called the language a church-state breach and urged the board to retain only the portions that reaffirm commitment to civic principles, minus wording that commenters said promotes religion over nonreligion. Diane (Ricky) and other long-time educators and a representative for Senator Howard Stevenson also used public comment to raise separate concerns about other board items (for example, proposed changes to the Dual Language Immersion program).
What was requested: Many speakers asked the board to rescind or substantially rewrite Resolution 202601 and to consult affected communities before finalizing language perceived as endorsing religious views. One commenter, Douglas Hendrickx, said he gathered 455 petition signatures urging rescission and provided the board with copies; another gave the board a lawyer's opinion asserting unconstitutional language.
Board response: Board members invited detailed written comments and reminded the public that the board reviews emails and written submissions. They declined to take immediate formal action during the meeting; several members said staff would review submitted materials and legal questions.
Next steps: The board will accept written comments and staff will consider legal advice and public input when determining whether to revise or rescind the resolution.
Representative quotes: "Words matter. Students have committed suicide because people in authority told them things like what you said in your resolution," Douglas Hendrickx said. "This resolution tells Utah students that religious people are the only people capable of sustaining a free nation," David Whitaker added.
Context: Resolution 202601 was adopted previously (referenced in public comment as a February action) and includes a reaffirmation to prepare students to "sustain the principles of liberty and equality before the law." Public commenters asked that affirmations stop short of language that could be read to prefer religious belief as the source of civic virtue.
