Washington, DC (JK) – A former Montgomery County Public Schools substitute teacher has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review her lawsuit challenging the school system’s gender identity policy.
Kimberly Polk filed a petition for a writ of certiorari Friday after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled against her earlier this year. The Supreme Court had previously granted Polk two extensions of time to file her petition.
Polk, who worked as a substitute teacher during the 2021-2022 school year, argues the district required teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns even when they conflicted with a student’s biological sex and prohibited staff from informing parents if a student identified as a different gender at school unless the student consented.
According to the petition, Polk sought a religious accommodation because of her Christian beliefs. She alleges the district denied her accommodation request, preventing her from continuing to teach in Montgomery County.
The petition argues the case raises significant First Amendment questions about whether public schools can require teachers to express views on gender identity that conflict with their religious beliefs as a condition of employment.
The filing also references the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2025 decision involving Montgomery County Public Schools that required the district to allow parents to opt their children out of classroom lessons using certain LGBTQ-themed storybooks on religious grounds.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will hear Polk’s appeal.
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