Ricard explained that she was punished for calling a biologically female student by the student’s legal last name instead of using the student’s chosen first name and pronouns. She taught at Fort Riley Middle School and learned from a school counselor that the student wanted to be addressed with a different name and preferred pronouns (he/him).
Due to her religious beliefs, Ricard decided to call the student “Miss [legal last name]” instead of using the new name. She believed this was a fair way to avoid using pronouns that did not match the student’s biological sex.
At the time, the school had no specific rule about this situation. However, Ricard was suspended under a general policy related to staff conduct. After she returned to work, the school introduced a new rule requiring teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns.
Ricard filed a lawsuit, arguing that the policy went against her beliefs. She stated that her Christian faith teaches that people are created as male or female at birth, and this cannot change. Her legal team claimed the policy forced her to say things that did not match her religious views.
After a federal court reviewed the case, Ricard was awarded $95,000. According to CBS News, the ruling meant she could now communicate with parents in a way that followed her beliefs and did not have to use pronouns that did not match a student’s biological sex.
The court also struck down a part of the school’s policy that banned staff from telling parents about their children’s preferred names and pronouns.
The school district has not made any public statements about the case, and it is unclear if its policies will change.
This case has sparked discussions about how to balance students’ preferences with teachers’ religious beliefs. It also shows how complex gender identity and personal freedoms can be in schools today.