Families Receive $1.5 Million After Supreme Court Victory Over LGBT Storytelling

Montgomery County school district ordered to comply with court orders on parental opt-out rights.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A Maryland school district that lost a recent U.S. Supreme Court case will pay $1.5 million to parents who weren't allowed to opt their children out of book readings about same-sex relationships, gender transitions, and pride parades. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the plaintiffs, announced the settlement and said the district must now comply with court orders mandating advance notice and opt-out provisions.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court ruling in this case was seen as a major victory for religious freedom and parental rights, establishing that the government cannot condition the benefit of public education on parents' acceptance of instruction that threatens their religious beliefs. The settlement enforces the court's decision and ensures parents have the final say in how their children are raised.

The details

The case dates back to 2022 when a group of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish parents told the Montgomery County Board of Education that they wanted to remove their elementary school children from certain book readings for religious reasons. The parents were denied permission, even though the district and state have policies allowing opt-outs and requiring advance notice. After the parents sued, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in their favor, stating the government cannot force parents to accept instruction that threatens their religious beliefs in order to receive a public education.

  • In 2022, parents told the school board they wanted to opt their children out of certain book readings.
  • On June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court announced its 6-3 ruling in favor of the parents.
  • On February 20, 2026, the Becket Fund announced the $1.5 million settlement with the school district.

The players

Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

A nonprofit law firm that represented the plaintiffs in the case and announced the $1.5 million settlement.

Montgomery County Board of Education

The defendant in the case, which oversees Montgomery County Public Schools, the largest school district in Maryland.

Eric Baxter

Becket senior counsel and the lead attorney in the case.

Judge Deborah Boardman

The U.S. District Court judge who ordered the settlement.

Justice Samuel Alito

The author of the Supreme Court's majority opinion in the case.

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What they’re saying

“Public schools nationwide are on notice: running roughshod over parents' rights and religious freedom isn't just illegal—it's costly.”

— Eric Baxter, Becket senior counsel (Becket Fund for Religious Liberty)

“This settlement enforces the Supreme Court's ruling and ensures parents, not government bureaucrats, have the final say in how their children are raised.”

— Eric Baxter, Becket senior counsel (Becket Fund for Religious Liberty)

“It took tremendous courage for these parents to stand up to the school board and take their case all the way to the Supreme Court. Their victory reshaped the law and ensured that generations of religious parents will be able to guide their children's upbringing according to their faith.”

— Eric Baxter, Becket senior counsel (Becket Fund for Religious Liberty)

What’s next

The judge in the case will oversee the implementation of the settlement to ensure the Montgomery County school district complies with the court orders on parental opt-out rights.

The takeaway

This case represents a significant victory for religious freedom and parental rights, establishing that the government cannot force parents to accept instruction that threatens their religious beliefs in order for their children to receive a public education. The $1.5 million settlement and court-ordered compliance measures send a strong message to school districts nationwide about respecting the rights of parents.