Carthage ISD band director resigns, citing new law requiring Ten Commandments in classroom

CARTHAGE, Texas — A Carthage ISD band director said he resigned due to a newly passed law requiring the Ten Commandments to be put up in classrooms.

Johnnie Cotton says he has been working in education for 42 years. On Monday, however, he resigned from his role at Carthage ISD for personal reasons, the district told CBS19. Cotton said the decision came after he was asked to install the Ten Commandments in his classroom as required by state law.

"I believe very strongly that politics and religion have no place in the public schools," Cotton said on social media. "...Seeing this as a line I refused to cross, I resigned."

Cotton further clarified he did not hold Carthage ISD responsible as "they had no choice but to enforce the law," he said on social media.

"I apologize to my staff bec