This information is making the rounds on various news sources. Bethel Christian Academy in Savage, MD is suing the state, accusing Maryland’s Department of Education of discrimination because he state removed the school’s low income students from receiving free meal vouchers because the school’s handbook endorses marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The state has also stated that Bethel Christian Academy must pay back over $100,000 from the two years it participated in the program.

Here is a link to the lawsuit information: http://www.adfmedia.org/files/BethelComplaint.pdf

Here is information via Fox 45 in Baltimore:

DISCRIMINATION? Bethel Christian Academy in Howard County says the state took away meal vouchers from the school’s low-income students because the school’s handbook endorses marriage as the union of one man and one woman. MORE: https://t.co/0eAe6njstR pic.twitter.com/8lv7K4DOCd — FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) July 3, 2019

Here are a couple of additional sources for information:

Maryland Christian school sues after being evicted from voucher program: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/maryland-christian-school-sues-after-being-evicted-from-voucher-program-39692

Howard Co. Christian school accuses state of discrimination: https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/howard-co-christian-school-accuses-state-of-discrimination

Christian School Kicked Out of Voucher Program for Biblical Views on Sexuality: https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/06/27/christian-charter-school-kicked-out-of-voucher-program-for-biblical-views-on-sexuality/

Maryland officials deny low-income kids school vouchers if they choose Christian school: http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/10784

Maryland punishes grade school for Christian beliefs, sparks lawsuit: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/maryland-punishes-grade-school-for-christian-beliefs-sparks-lawsuit

If you want to learn more about Bethel Christian Academy (BCA)…visit their website here: https://www.bethelchristianacademy.com/.

Some interesting facts about BCA (information found in the lawsuit documentation):

For the 2018-2019 school year, Bethel has 281 enrolled students in preschool through 8th grade.

Bethel serves an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse student population.

Over 85% of Bethel’s current student population is nonwhite.

Bethel’s student population represents approximately 40 different nations.

Approximately 20% of Bethel’s students qualify to receive free or reduced-price lunches.

Plus there is this information you might find helpful:

Via website: The Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program provides scholarships for some students who are eligible for the free or reduced–price meals program to attend eligible nonpublic schools. Awards are granted based on household income, with the lowest income served first.

Participating Schools for the BOOST Scholarship Program 2019-2020 School Year: http://marylandpublicschools.org/Documents/boost/20192020/BOOSTParticipatingSchools2019-2020.pdf

Have thoughts on this topic…let me know in the comments.

Scott E