MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Kimberly Polk filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on June 20, 2026, seeking review of a lower court's decision in her religious accommodation case against Montgomery County Public Schools. Polk worked as a substitute teacher for the district during the 2021-2022 school year.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled against Polk earlier in 2026. Polk alleges that the school system denied her request for a religious accommodation based on her Christian beliefs. She states this denial prevented her from continuing to teach in Montgomery County.

Polk argues that the district required teachers to use students' preferred pronouns even when those pronouns conflicted with a student's biological sex. Additionally, she claims the district prohibited staff from informing parents if a student identified as a different gender at school unless the student provided consent.

The petition argues the case raises First Amendment questions regarding whether public schools can mandate that teachers express views on gender identity that conflict with their religious beliefs as a condition of employment. The Supreme Court granted Polk two extensions of time to file her petition. The Court has not yet decided whether it will hear her appeal.

The filing references a 2025 U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Montgomery County Public Schools. That decision required the district to permit parents to opt their children out of classroom lessons that used specific LGBTQ-themed storybooks on religious grounds.