PLAINWELL, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A federal lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Plainwell High School junior who was suspended last fall after multiple conversations in which he allegedly spoke about his Christian beliefs with other students.
The student is reportedly suing to have the disciplinary mark taken off his record, and to prevent the district from taking similar actions in the future.
David Kallman of the Great Lakes Justice Center told WXMI Fox 17 that the student was disciplined for two conversations in which he spoke to other students about his Christian beliefs, one happening in a hallway at school, and another in a private text conversation. He says the texting happened off campus, during non-school hours.
The lawsuit alleges that the other student he was speaking to began “berating” him, and calling him “many offensive names for his sincerely held Christian beliefs.”
Kallman said the student, who is part of the school’s marching band and football team, was also punished for not intervening when some of his band members began making racist and homophobic jokes.
Plainwell Community Schools Superintendent Matthew Montange told the TV station the district has no comment at this time.
