New bill signed by Jeff Landry sparks mixed emotions from Monroe parents

WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — A new bill signed by Governor Landry bill signed by Governor Jeff Landry will require public schools K–12 to hang the ten commandments in classrooms. This decision has sparked mixed emotions in several parents from Ouachita Parish.

It’s not too much of a violation in my eyes. Most kids, Christian, non-Christian, Muslim, you know any beliefs you have, these are core values that we try to teach.

Andrea Hernandez, mother in Ouachita Parish

Several parents in Ouachita Parish say that the new law is a violation of the separation of church and state. Amber Deutsch says that school is mandated and questions why any religion should be mandated in any public institution.

School is mandated for kids. It’s federally required, parents can go to jail if their kids don’t attend some form of school, and so if while they’re at school there should be a safe to they can learn about religions and learn about different things like that, but as a this is the religion we’re going to follow in school, that’s a major overstep in something that s federally mandated.

Amber Deutsch, mother in Ouachita Parish

When asked if parents had a message for Jeff Landry regarding the bill, parents in favor of the bill and those opposed both acknowledged the backlash the governor has received regarding his newest educational bills.

The law says that state funds will not be used to execute the new mandate; posters will be paid for through donations. The bill was effective upon the signature of Governor Landry on June 19, 2024.