The Kern County Board of Education on Tuesday decided not to move forward with a proposal that would have required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms at several county schools.

All trustees were present, including Julie Beechinor Towse, Joe Marcano, Mary Little, Jose Gonzalez, Lori Eskew, James Robinson, Lori Cisneros, and Student Champion Annabelle Werner.

Board President Mary Little said the board had researched the issue and noted that similar laws in other states, including Texas, are facing lawsuits that could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. 

She said the documents had been considered historical material, not religious instruction, but pursuing the plan now “would be a battle that we would not win.”

Trustee Lorie Cisneros, who supports displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, said students and families could choose their own beliefs while still learning about how faith influenced the nation’s founding. 

“It doesn’t have to be the same God, but the fact that [the Founding Fathers] were moved by that to write the documents that we use today in our government… is important that we tell our students about that,” she said.

Trustee James Robinson said the board’s job is to educate, not push beliefs. 

He added that recognising a higher power is foundational for many people: “God always wins. He’s going to win this one, too.” He also said, “Students are there to learn. They’re not there to get spoonfed indoctrination.”

The decision follows months of public comment and debate, as well as warnings from civil rights groups, including the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, that the proposal could violate state law and lead to costly legal action.