In a recent victory for religious liberty in the United States, a federal jury has awarded over $4 million to thirteen current and former St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) employees who were denied religious exemptions from the district’s 2021 Covid-19 vaccine mandate.

In August 2021, SLPS mandated that all staff would be required to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine (the only version approved at the time). SLPS sent out communications stating that they would consider religious exemptions on a “case-by-case” basis, and would offer “reasonable accommodation, absent undue hardship, to employees with sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, or practices that conflict with getting vaccinated.”

Despite this statement, SLPS proceeded to categorically deny every religious exemption request received, totalling 150-200, while assessing medical exemptions individually. As a result, employees who refused vaccination under the religious exemption faced unpaid leave or termination, prompting forty-three to join the lawsuit, seeking back pay and damages for emotional distress.

According to Charles Burton, SLPS’s former human resources director, the district denied all religious exemptions for staff because “the rights of the children, particularly as it relates to our obligation in charge as an institution, outweighs [the rights] of the employees.”

Represented by Kasper Law Firm, the plaintiffs jointly sued SLPS in June 2022, alleging violations of their First Amendment rights, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Missouri Human Rights Act.

The 11-day trial concluded with jurors unanimously awarding $1,018,175 in actual damages and $2,990,000 in punitive damages, signaling a strong rebuke of the district’s practices. Lead plaintiff Wanda Brandon, a teacher still employed by SLPS, stated, “The main thing was to show the district that what they did was wrong, to just totally ignore the religious exemption request.” The substantial punitive damages reflect the jury’s recognition of the district’s egregious disregard for these protections, ensuring that employees’ rights to have their convictions respected are upheld.

Attorney Kevin Kasper emphasized the broader implications, noting, “This ruling sends a clear message to employers nationwide: trampling constitutional rights carries a steep price.” This verdict follows earlier settlements in March 2025, where SLPS paid $90,000 each to two former employees, John Gatheca and Sonja Brandon, for similar religious discrimination claims.

U.S. Chief District Judge, Stephen R. Clark, stated, “The District’s alleged policy put plaintiffs to a choice: compromise their convictions or lose their livelihoods,” adding, “Restrictions impermissibly infringing on constitutional rights, like the right to freely exercise one’s religion, spread across the country like a virus.”

Similar cases in Michigan, where employees won a $12.7 million award, and Tennessee further bolster this precedent, demonstrating that institutional policies cannot override constitutional protections.

The SLPS case is a significant step in holding employers accountable for discriminatory practices. While the district is expected to appeal the verdict, its outcome, if upheld, could set a precedent for future religious discrimination cases nationwide. For employees like Brandon, Gatheca, and others, these rulings validate their fight for personal autonomy and religious liberty, ensuring that their rights are not subordinate to blanket mandates.

With our inalienable rights being attacked and eroded at every turn, it brings hope to see such a strong response from the US justice system.

Each victory is one more step towards acknowledging the failures of our governments and institutions to protect and respect the people they represent. Congratulations to all involved, and to those who will yet benefit from this success.

To read the Children Health Defense article written by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D, click here