CYPRESS, Texas – A Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District teacher is being accused of telling an elementary school student she can't read the Bible in school and is not even allowed to bring the Bible to school.
The allegations surfaced on Tuesday afternoon when the Liberty Institute released a statement and said it sent a letter to the Hamilton Elementary School principal and Cy-Fair ISD superintendent.
"We expect Cypress-Fairbanks ISD officials to resolve this unfortunate incident quickly and amicably by informing us that they have addressed this matter with District employees, and by assuring us that this will not happen again," the letter read.
Meanwhile, parents Local 2 spoke with are outraged at the allegations.
"If it were a time when the child could have silent time and read what she wants to read during that time period, she should be able to read whatever she wants to read," said parent Germaine Tanner whose child attends the school.
"My family and I are devout Christians and my son has actually brought his Bible to school and he is in second grade," said another parent. "I am now going to ask him what's up."
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD officials released a statement and also said is has not confirmed the allegations are even true.
The district's statement which read in part, "During a student's independent reading time, students are required to read a book that is "Just Right." A "Just Right" book is when the student can read most of the words, comprehend the text and that the book is appropriate for the type of text or genre that is being taught. As such religious material, including the Bible, that meets these guidelines would be permissible for a classroom assignment and/or independent reading."
The parents of the student at the center of all of this do not want to go public in fear of retaliation.