News Release
For Immediate Release: 3.24.26
Contact: Natalie Konstans, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4454
Religious Liberty Law Firm Praises Ohio School District for Granting Religious Accommodation to Employee
Middle school teacher is once again allowed to observe religious holy days without fear of punishment.
Salem, OH—First Liberty Institute and the law firm Ashbrook Byrne Kresge Flowers LLC praised the Salem City School District for granting a religious accommodation for longtime teacher, Shawnae Carlisle. After previously denying her request in October 2025, the school district granted her accommodation, permitting Shawnae to take unpaid time off to observe various religious holy days in accordance with her faith.
“We are grateful that after receiving our letter about Ms. Carlisle’s religious liberty rights, the Salem City School District reversed its prior suspension of Ms. Carlisle for observing religious holy days and instead agreed to accommodate her religious observances going forward,” said Cliff Martin, Senior Counsel at First Liberty. “Salem City School District’s actions demonstrate how all school districts can and should respect their religious employees.”
Ben Flowers, attorney at Ashbrook Byrne Kresge Flowers LLC said, “Both teaching and faith are important to Ms. Carlisle. No one should be forced to violate their religious beliefs in order to keep their job, and we are glad that with this new religious accommodation, she will not have to choose between the two.”
Shawnae Carlisle, a public-school teacher for over 15 years, currently teaches science at Southeast Elementary School in Salem, Ohio. For her entire teaching career, Ms. Carlisle has requested and been granted time off to observe religious holy days without issue. She schedules substitute teachers to come in on the days she is away and facilitates complete coverage for her classes. But in October 2025, the Salem City School District rejected her request for time off. The District’s justifications did not comport with its treatment of other teachers in the school. Despite this, Ms. Carlisle was unwilling to jeopardize her faith and continued to secure substitute coverage so she could observe her religious practice. The school subsequently suspended her without pay for five days. Now, the Salem City School District has reversed course and granted Shawnae’s accommodation, thus removing any pressure for her to choose between her faith or her job.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Natalie Konstans at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972- 941-4454.
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