Teachers in Harrisonburg, Virginia, do not have to ask for or use students’ preferred pronouns after a lawsuit settlement Tuesday.

Deborah Figliola, Kristine Marsh and Laura Nelson filed a suit in June 2022 against the Harrisonburg City School Board saying their rights protected in the Commonwealth’s Free Speech Clause and the Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act had been violated by compelling speech to which they object.

The lawsuit stemmed from the teachers having to undergo training to ensure they were compliant with the school board’s nondiscrimination policy, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which represented the teachers. The training entailed requiring teachers to ask a student’s “preferred” name and pronouns and to always use them. 

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The teachers said they were also expected to do so without notifying parents or seeking their consent. The Harrisonburg City Public Schools’ nondiscrimination policy threatened discipline against teachers and even “termination” for noncompliance.

The two sides reached an agreement when the school board granted the teachers religious accommodations Tuesday. 

In the settlement, the school board maintained that they do not require staff to ask for or use students’ preferred names and pronouns and “[do] not support hiding or withholding information from parents.” The board agreed to continue to inform staff about religious accommodations that are available.

ADF senior counsel Kate Anderson, director of the ADF Center for Parental Rights, said that all teachers are protected “under the Constitution to do their job in alignment with their religious beliefs, including how they refer to their students and the vital information they share with parents.”

“We are pleased to favorably resolve this case on behalf of our clients and ensure that the Harrisonburg City School Board will respect every teacher’s right to speak consistent with her faith,” Anderson said.

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The Alliance Defending Freedom scored a legal victory in the Rockingham County Circuit Court Tuesday, representing Christian teachers who challenged the Harrisonburg City Public Schools. 

The Harrisonburg City Public School Board said in a statement, “The Harrisonburg City School Division is pleased to see this litigation resolved. From the start, our focus has been to support all students and employees with dignity and respect. Before the litigation began, we were open to collaborating on accommodations for diverse needs, as evidenced by our correspondence with ADF in early 2022.

“Our commitment is reflected in School Board policies and actions, including the adoption of a formal religious accommodations policy (Policy 682) over a year ago and the implementation of training for employees this August. These efforts demonstrate our dedication to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment.

“This case concludes because the processes we have always encouraged—both informal and formal—proved effective. We are gratified by this resolution and wish it could have been accomplished without litigation.”

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ADF won a similar case in November involving a Virginia school board firing a teacher for refusing to use a student’s preferred pronouns.

An ADF attorney told Fox News Digital at the time that the settlement had “seismic implications.”

“It protects all teachers in Virginia and its rationale should guide other courts addressing similar issues,” ADF president and CEO Kristen Waggoner said.

The Virginia-based West Point School Board agreed to pay a former high school teacher, Peter Vlaming, $575,000 in damages and attorney’s fees after he refused to call a transgender student by their preferred pronouns.

Elijah Saunders scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, when Jacob Cofie scored all 12 of his points, and Virginia closed the game on a 25-4 run to beat Bethune-Cookman 59-41 on Thursday night.

Bethune-Cookman scored 12 of the opening 15 points of the game after Virginia started 1-of-15 from the field with six turnovers. Ishan Sharma got the Cavaliers back in it after making three 3-pointers in four minutes to tie it at 14-all.

Virginia was setting up for the final shot of the first half before Brayon Freeman poked it away and made a breakaway layup at the other end for a 21-18 lead at the break. The Cavaliers had seven made field goals and eight turnovers at halftime.

Virginia pulled away midway through the second half by scoring 12 straight points, capped by three-point plays by Andrew Rohde and Cofie. Bethune-Cookman was scoreless for four minutes during the stretch.

Isaac McKneely gave Virginia the first double-digit lead of the game, 52-41, during a game-closing 13-0 run. Bethune-Cookman only made two of its last 14 shots, including eight straight misses down the stretch.

Sharma finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers for Virginia (6-4). Cofie secured a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Freeman scored 14 points for Bethune-Cookman (2-7).

Virginia continues its five-game homestand on Wednesday against Memphis. Bethune-Cookman faces another Power Four opponent on Saturday against West Virginia.

There are additional drone sightings in our region. A mystery that has leaders at the federal, state, and local levels demanding answers. FOX 5’s Nana-Sentuo Bonsu is in Prince George’s County, where people started spotting these large drones early this week.