Teacher Made ‘Inappropriate’ Religious Comments In Class, Investigator Concludes

NEW BRITAIN, CT — An independent investigator has concluded that a local school teacher acted “inappropriately” by making religious comments in her classroom.

The teacher, Marisol Arroyo-Castro, meanwhile, maintains she did not make religious comments or discuss religion during class.

Arroyo-Castro, was put on administrative leave months ago after school administrators said she displayed a crucifix near her desk and incorporated personal religious beliefs in her instruction.

Arroyo-Castro is a seventh grade teacher at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in the Consolidated School District of New Britain.

Today, she is still employed with the district, but in an administrative role, and she is not permitted to teach in the classroom, according to the Texas-based First Liberty Institute, which represents her in ongoing litigation.

Earlier this year, district administration engaged the independent investigator, Elisa Bartlett, to investigate if Arroyo-Castro made religious references in her classes.

The investigator concluded in a report dated May 28, “Based on the information gathered through this investigation, I believe that Ms. Castro made religious references and comments in class that were unrelated to class content.”

The investigator deemed the teacher’s actions to be “inappropriate,” and in violation of the Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers.

The investigator reviewed students’ written statements and interviewed administrators and other teachers.

Students reported Arroyo-Castro making comments such as “I hope papa God helps with your lies,” “Papa God is disappointed in you,” and “Lying is a sin and papa God doesn’t like liars,” according to the report.

A fellow teacher, whose classroom is connected to Arroyo-Castro’s, reported overhearing her make religious statements, according to the report, such as “You need to find Jesus,” and “You need to atone for your sins.”

The report indicates Arroyo-Castro denied making any religious comments or discussing religion during class. Arroyo-Castro questioned the motives of students who made complaints and “seemed to imply” it was in response to her disciplinary methods, the report states. The investigator concluded that the students’ claims were corroborated by a teacher who overheard religious statements.

New Britain Superintendent of Schools Tony Gasper said the school district commissioned the independent, third-party investigation to review the facts.

“The findings of the independent report made clear that this issue went beyond a single symbol in the classroom and included repeated instances in which Ms. Castro sought to establish that her own religion was, in effect, the official religion of that classroom and thereby stated that students of other religions were less valued,” Gasper said, in a written statement.

“In a diverse district like ours, with children from many different faiths and traditions, it is our legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that classrooms remain neutral spaces where every student feels safe, respected, and included,” Gasper added.

According to Gasper, the school district has provided “multiple options” to Arroyo-Castro to resolve the matter. He said she and her legal team have declined those options.

“We will continue to follow legal guidance as we move forward, and we remain steadfast in our duty to uphold both the law and the values of inclusion, neutrality, and respect for all of our students and families,” Gasper said.

In January, First Liberty Institute, along with law firm WilmerHale, sent a letter to the school district demanding Arroyo-Castro’s immediate reinstatement after she was initially put on administrative leave.

According to First Liberty Institute, Arroyo-Castro has had a crucifix by her desk for a decade, along with other personal items such as artwork, pictures of grandchildren and a church calendar.

It claims school officials in December told her to remove the crucifix, which it characterized as discrimination and a violation of the First Amendment.

First Liberty Senior Counsel Keisha Russell, who represents Arroyo-Castro, said Tuesday of the investigative report, “We feel a lot of it is inaccurate and some of it was taken out of context.”

According to Russell, the report didn’t give credence to a teacher who spent years in Arroyo-Castro’s classroom and didn’t see anything inappropriate.

“The school district has conceded that she is being punished for the crucifix by her desk,” Russell said.

Arroyo-Castro filed a lawsuit in late January against district administrators in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, claiming she was punished for displaying the crucifix near her desk, in violation of her freedom of speech and religious expression rights.

“We are awaiting a ruling, and are hoping for a positive outcome,” Russell said. “She is really devastated and sad about not being allowed to teach. This is all she has ever wanted to do - teach. She is ready to get back in there, and teach in New Britain, back with her students.”

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Classroom Crucifix Causes Controversy In New Britain