Former Jurupa Valley High School teacher Jessica Tapia will receive $360,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging she was wrongfully fired for refusing to hide students’ transgender identities from their parents. , ends a lawsuit filed last year in federal court by Jessica Tapia, who accused the district of violating her civil and First Amendment rights when it terminated her in January 2023.
The settlement “serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career,” Julianne Fleischer, an Advocates lawyer, said in the release. “The district has not admitted any fault or wrongdoing as part of this settlement,” the statement read. Tapia, a Christian who believes God created two sexes — male and female — was placed on paid administrative leave in 2022 after “some issues had been brought to the District’s attention regarding her personal social media posts,” the lawsuit states.