ARGYLE — The Argyle School District came to a settlement with former teacher Jordan Cernek, who sued the district for wrongful termination based on religious liberty.

Cernek will receive $20,000. He alleged his former employer violated his right to the free exercise of his religion and a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The district decided not to renew Cernek’s contract in May 2023. He had vocally opposed a district requirement that staff use preferred names and pronouns of transgender students.

Cernek and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) filed the lawsuit in July 2024, more than a full year after his teaching contract had not been renewed. During the 2022-23 school year, the district made all staff aware of the transgender, pronoun and name policy. Cernek was warned by the district that failure to adhere to the policy would result in disciplinary action including termination. The teacher still objected, and six months later his contract was not renewed.