The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear an appeal in the case of a narcoleptic teacher who sued a Christian school for discrimination based on disability. At issue is whether Cheryl Perich was a secular or religious employee at Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Redford, Mich. If religious, the judicially created “ministerial exception” would bar review of her termination.

The Redford church, affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, operates a school for children in pre-school through the eighth grade. Teachers there consist of both contract teachers and “called” teachers. Staffs include non-Lutherans.

According to court documents, Perich was hired as a contract teacher in 1999 but later became a “called” teacher after completing the required colloquy course. She taught math, language arts, social studies, science, gym, art and music as well as computer skills. Along with the secular subjects, she also taught a religion class four days a week, attended a chapel service with her class once a week, and led each class in prayer three times a day.

After becoming ill, Perich went on a disability leave of absence in 2004 and was later diagnosed with narcolepsy.

Soon thereafter, her doctor confirmed that she could return to work and be fully functional with the assistance of medication.

The school’s principal, Stacey Hoeft, however, expressed concern that Perich’s condition “would jeopardize the safety of the students in her care.”

The school board proposed to the congregation that Perich be asked to resign while paying for a portion of her health benefits through that year, 2005.

Perich, however, refused the offer and attempted to return to work.

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