In December 2024, the Kern County Board of Education first heard a presentation given by Pastor Angelo Frazier, urging them to include the Ten Commandments throughout classrooms. This caused a debate over the separation of church and state. Some debated and criticized implementing these religious texts, noting that the County should prioritize learning resources to help the low literacy and mathematical comprehension.

On Tuesday evening, the School Board met and reviewed a possible resolution to uphold this measure. They discussed the item even though it was unofficially listed as part of the agenda under historical documents. The board discussed the following historical documents: The Ten Commandments, the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, alongside a few others.

The board heard from nine individuals, some of whom spoke in support and opposition of this item others discussed other agenda items.

Frazier spoke out in favor of implementing the historical text and expressed his gratitude towards Mary Little, Board president, and trustee members for considering his proposal. 

“May the historical relevance of this resolution be beneficial to this school district and beyond,” said Frazier. 

If the board moves to vote and pass the resolution, it would be the first school district and county in California that endorse these religious texts. Under state law, it prohibits the use of public funds to support any educational institution with a religious affiliation and prohibits the teaching of any religion. 

In support of this measure’s passing, the board also heard a brief presentation from attorney Mariah Gondero with Liberty Counsel, a Christian organization that provides legal services. Gondero explained to the board that they will defend KCSOS free of charge should a lawsuit come their way. 

Gondero believes that “Kern County has a chance to make history in California by adopting this resolution.”

Lori Brashler opposes displaying the devotional texts in classrooms and expressed her stance to the board of trustees.

“Our classrooms must remain neutral so that every student, religious or non-religious, Christian, Muslim, Sik, Jewish, or Hindu feels that they belong. Teaching religion is allowed in a proper context, but prompting religion is not,” said Brashler.

Community member and parent Lindsay Parker explained the importance of the board making sure that every student feels that they belong. 

“No child in Kern County should feel like an outsider in their own school because of what they believe or don’t believe. Our community is full of families with different faiths and traditions, and that’s one of our strengths,” said Parker. 

Recently, a lawsuit was filed by the ACLU in Texas against public school districts to prohibit them from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. A similar action could be seen in Kern County if the board votes to pass this next month. 

The Board of Education will reconvene on November 13th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the matter further and possibly take a vote.