Former American history teacher Jarrell Botello alleged religious and national-origin discrimination after his 2025 firing; settlement terms remain confidential.
Aztec Municipal School District in New Mexico has reached a settlement with former American history teacher Jarrell Botello following an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint alleging discrimination tied to his Christian faith and Hispanic background.
Liberty Counsel, which represented Botello, said the EEOC facilitated the settlement after Botello challenged his July 2025 firing. The Aztec school board voted 4-0 in August to approve the agreement. Botello is now retired, and the settlement terms are confidential.
Botello alleged that he was disciplined for using state-approved history and civics materials while discussing immigration, the religious beliefs of America’s founders and competing views in current political debates. He said other teachers using the same curriculum were not disciplined.
According to Botello’s EEOC filing, a parent complained that his instruction included religion, hate and racism. The district placed him on administrative leave before the school board upheld his termination in July 2025 by a 3-2 vote.
Liberty Counsel said more than 90 students signed a petition supporting Botello and argued that his firing reflected anti-Christian bias. The school district’s settlement does not publicly establish liability because the agreement’s terms were not disclosed.
