This ignited a fierce community response.

A North Carolina school district has voted against a proposal to display posters featuring both the Ten Commandments and the U.S. Constitution in public schools. The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education debated the issue during a recent meeting, with concerns about potential legal challenges influencing the decision.

The proposal, introduced by board member Brian Sloan, aimed to equally highlight the Ten Commandments and the Constitution. However, it was met with controversy, and Sloan acknowledged that not everyone would be pleased with the idea. He was open to making adjustments to the poster, ensuring that the Constitution would be more prominent. Despite his willingness to revise the proposal, it did not gain enough support for a vote.

Board member Mike Kubiniec suggested delaying the vote to allow more time to address unresolved questions, particularly regarding the poster’s design. However, his motion to postpone the decision was defeated in a close 4-3 vote, meaning the board would not reconsider the proposal soon.

Another board member, Doug Knight, raised concerns about the legal implications of the proposal. He referred to the 1980 Supreme Court case Stone v. Graham, which ruled that displaying the Ten Commandments in schools violated the Constitution. Knight warned that passing the proposal could lead to a lawsuit, as a national organization had already threatened legal action against the board.

This decision follows a similar case in Louisiana, where a law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools has led to legal disputes. Louisiana has agreed not to enforce the law fully while the lawsuit moves through the courts.

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