She had permission from the school's Human Resources department, but the school principal told her it must be removed.
Keisha Russell of First Liberty, who is representing Israelson, says Human Resources was right and the principal of J.R. Smith Elementary is guilty of viewpoint discrimination by asking Israelson to remove the prayer chain.
“If the school district is going to allow teachers to have private speech in a certain area that includes their like personal desk space they can't then say, Taryn, as a teacher can't post anything religious."
Israelson, after receiving approval from the Human Resources manager, began a voluntary prayer chain in which individuals could opt-in to receive prayer and to pray for others.
She posted a sign in the school faculty lounge two years ago to invite faculty members to participate.

The faculty lounge provides members a place to gather and socialize during breaks and post personal signs on the refrigerators advertising community plays, announcing weddings and baby showers, sharing motivational phrases, and engaging in other forms of personal expression.
Russell points out that while this case is in Heber City, Utah, this is a problem that is widespread in schools nationwide.
“So we're seeing this kind of hostility all across the country with a lot of school districts that just don't understand the law, and how it applies in the school context."
She's hoping with the demand letter from First Liberty the school will relent and let Israelson have her prayer chain. But if not, they are willing to resort to litigation.