NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WFSB) - A federal judge has ruled against a New Britain middle school teacher who was placed on administrative leave for refusing to remove a small crucifix from her classroom workspace.

The United States District Court for the District of Connecticut upheld the Consolidated School District of New Britain’s punishment of 32-year veteran teacher Marisol Arroyo-Castro. The district has refused to allow Castro to return to the classroom since December 2024.

In the decision, the judge said Castro “acted pursuant to her official duties when she posted items on the classroom wall that students would see during instructional time. The classroom wall decorations are thus speech pursuant to Ms. Castro’s official duties and subject to the District’s control.”

“Today’s decision

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