07-05-2025
Utah teacher now allowed to post ‘prayer chain' in faculty lounge after threat of lawsuit
HEBER, Utah (ABC4) — A dispute over whether a Utah teacher can post a prayer chain in the faculty lounge was resolved collaboratively after the district agreed to demands before the case went to court.
About two years ago, Taryn Israelson — a teacher at J.R. Smith Elementary in Heber — placed a paper in her faculty lounge reading: 'Need prayer? Want to help pray for others? Text Taryn to be added to the prayer chain.'
Prayer chain sign placed in the faculty lounge at J.R. Smith Elementary. (Credit: First Liberty Institute)
The prayer chain was allegedly approved by the human resources manager, but attorneys say once 'the principal got wind of it' he told her to take it down. Attorneys said the principal was concerned that it would appear the district endorsed the prayer chain and violated the First Amendment Establishment Clause.
Israelson reached out to First Liberty Institute, a legal organization focused on religious freedom, to see if the prayer chain truly was a violation of the law.
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In April, attorneys representing Israelson sent a demand letter threatening a lawsuit if the Wasatch County School District didn't reverse the principal's decision. The lawyers said the prayer chain represents her 'personal religious speech.'
'If the school remains concerned that Ms. Israelson's sign—posted alongside other secular personal messages—may be construed as government speech, the school can provide a simple disclaimer stating that all posted messages are private speech,' the letter reads.
Keisha Russel, senior counsel at the institute, told ABC4 that the district 'took some time to review it' and ultimately allowed the prayer chain to remain. School officials decided to create a bulletin board in the break room specifically for employees to post personal notices to mitigate any risk of the prayer chain appearing to be school-led.
'We were really excited about that and grateful that the district did what we asked,' Russell said.
Russell said this incident is an example of how schools can be 'stuck in this old way of thinking that the separation of church and state means religion can be banned from the public square.'
'I think a case like this can show a school district [that] the establishment clause doesn't allow you to just completely ban religion, you're supposed to treat religion neutrally so just like you would allow the secular speech from employees you have to allow this religious speech as well,' she said.
The district sent a statement to ABC4 saying the situation was resolved with a 'collaborative spirit.'
'Both parties have agreed on a resolution that supports respectful expression and maintains the integrity of the learning environment,' the district said.
Read the district's full statement below:
Wasatch County School District and the teacher involved in the recent situation at J.R. Smith Elementary have reached a mutual agreement following further review. Both parties have agreed on a resolution that supports respectful expression and maintains the integrity of the learning environment.
In accordance with our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all employees, space will continue to be made available in staff areas for faculty announcements and personal notices. Any content shared in that space reflects individual expression and not the official views of the District.
Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, and to preserve the collaborative spirit in which this resolution was reached, the District will not be providing further comment.
—Wasatch County School District
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