The Rutherford County Board of Education approved designs on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 for displays that pair the Ten Commandments with portions of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The displays are planned for schools across the district under a new Tennessee law that took effect this year.
According to WSMV, the displays will cost a total of $12,400 for all 53 Rutherford County schools and will be paid for with private funds. FOX 17 reported that board members were told enough private money has already been raised to cover production and installation, meaning there will be no cost to Rutherford County Schools.
What the Board Approved
District officials presented two designs, according to FOX 17: one for elementary schools and one shared by middle and high schools. WSMV reported that an amendment was added to the motion to ensure every school receives the plaque rather than only some.
The vote was not unanimous. FOX 17 reported that board member Katie Darby asked the board to postpone the decision so members could consider a different layout. After seeing the proposed display in person, Darby said she wanted it shorter and wider so the three documents would receive more equal space, noting that the Declaration of Independence and Constitution portions appeared smaller and underneath the Ten Commandments. "I kind of like the idea of presenting all three together since it's about the founding," Darby said during the meeting, according to FOX 17. The board voted to move forward with the proposed designs, with Darby voting against. A full vote tally was not reported.
WSMV noted that the board had previously taken up the displays in August. A separate WSMV report listed Rutherford County Schools among five Tennessee districts that had approved plans as of August 22, with the Rutherford County board acting on August 20. The other districts named were Blount, Washington, White and Wilson counties.
The exact locations inside individual schools have not yet been finalized, and no installation date was reported.
What Tennessee Law Says
The displays are authorized by legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) and Rep. Michael Hale (R-Smithville), filed as Senate Bill 303. WSMV reported that the Senate passed the bill on March 19, 2026, and that it was later signed by Gov. Bill Lee as Public Chapter 924, effective July 1, 2026.
As described in WSMV's coverage of the bill and in the school board's discussion reported by FOX 17, the law:
- Allows public schools to display the Ten Commandments together with the first sentence of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the U.S. Constitution
- Requires that all ten commandments be in full view and that the three texts be displayed together
- Specifies the text to be used and requires a font size of at least 26-point
- Requires placement in a prominent location where students are likely to see it, such as an entrance, cafeteria or common area
- Leaves display size and location within buildings to individual school boards
Both FOX 17 and WSMV described the Tennessee law as allowing, rather than requiring, schools to post the displays.
Stated Concerns and Legal Context
Civil liberties groups have raised objections to the Tennessee law. WSMV reported in August that the ACLU of Tennessee, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation submitted public records requests to the five districts that had approved displays. The ACLU said in a statement quoted by WSMV: "Forcing biblical scripture on public-school children violates families' religious freedom." No lawsuit over the Tennessee law had been reported as of this writing.
Similar laws in other states have been in federal court:
- Louisiana: A federal district judge blocked Louisiana's classroom display law in November 2024, and a Fifth Circuit panel upheld that injunction in June 2025. On February 20, 2026, the full Fifth Circuit voted 12 to 6 to vacate the injunction, ruling the challenge was premature because the law had not yet been put into effect, while leaving room for future challenges once it is implemented.
- Texas: On April 21, 2026, the full Fifth Circuit ruled 9 to 8 in *Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District* to uphold Texas Senate Bill 10, which requires the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The majority held that the 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision in *Stone v. Graham*, which struck down a Kentucky classroom display law, no longer controls because it relied on the now-abandoned *Lemon* test. According to the ACLU of Texas, the plaintiffs asked the U.S. Supreme Court on August 17, 2026 to review the rulings.
Tennessee is not in the Fifth Circuit; federal cases from Tennessee are heard by the Sixth Circuit. A Supreme Court decision on the Texas petition could shape how courts nationwide view laws like Tennessee's.
For an overview of public and private school options, see our guide to Murfreesboro schools. Voters with an interest in state and local policy can find deadlines and polling locations in our Rutherford County early voting guide, and more county news on our Rutherford County page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Rutherford County Schools display the Ten Commandments?
Yes. On September 23, 2026, the Rutherford County Board of Education approved designs for displays that pair the Ten Commandments with portions of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. WSMV reported the displays are planned for all 53 district schools.
Who is paying for the Ten Commandments displays in Rutherford County schools?
The displays are privately funded. WSMV reported a total cost of $12,400, and FOX 17 reported that enough private money had been raised to cover production and installation at no cost to the district.
Does Tennessee law require schools to post the Ten Commandments?
According to WSMV and FOX 17, the 2026 law allows public schools to post the displays. When a school does, the law specifies the text, a minimum 26-point font, and a prominent location such as an entrance, cafeteria or common area.
What other documents are included in the displays?
The displays include the first sentence of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, shown together with the Ten Commandments.
Have courts ruled on Ten Commandments laws in schools?
Yes, in other states. In 2026 the Fifth Circuit allowed Louisiana's law to proceed on ripeness grounds and upheld Texas's law in a 9 to 8 ruling. Plaintiffs in the Texas case have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review it. No court challenge to Tennessee's law had been reported as of September 25, 2026.
Sources: WSMV, FOX 17, WSMV: Five Tennessee school districts approve plans, WSMV: Tennessee Senate passes bill, Roake v. Brumley (Wikipedia), FindLaw, ACLU of Texas.