Arkansas Supreme Court Dismisses Claims Against Parochial School As Involving Religious Doctrine

In Calvary Christian School Inc. v. Huffstutler, (Ark. Sup. Ct., June 29, 2006). the Arkansas Supreme Court held that it lacked jurisdiction over most of the claims brought by the parents of a parochial school student who was "disenrolled" from the school after he and his parents complained about a video camera that they discovered was hidden in the vetilation system of a school classroom that was also used as a dressing room for school events. In order to keep their son enrolled in school, his parents signed an agreement to support the policies and administration of the school and not to make any negative comments that could possibly destroy the ministry and unity of the school. However subsequently the parents made comments that violated the agreement, and the student was dismissed. The majority agreed with Calvary Christian School that the dismissal was based on failure to comply with school policies that are based in Matthew 18 principles. This made it a theological dispute over which the court could not exercise jurisdiction under First Amendment principles. The majority also dismissed one of the claims because there was no evidence that the camera had ever been used to film anything. Three justices dissented, each as to different aspects of the majority's opinion.