Truthfully, these have been the ground rules for thirty or more years, and this teacher showed very poor judgment in doing what they did.
Way back when I knew a very religious and scholarly high school teacher who was the soul of diplomacy to get permission to teach a “The Bible as Literature” class. His classes were filled with several denominations of Christians, as well as Jews, Mormons and some secular students that were respectful of religion.
He had to begin each semester with an extensive and complex disclaimer, and was always solicitous of the views and feelings of his pupils. Again, diplomacy won the day, offended no one, and produced a superb and intelligent class, far beyond what can typically be found in high school.
And he and his students were able to do this because they followed the rules. And within the rules they were able to do a lot more than they could by skirting the rules.
Did you read the whole story? The man simply gave the kid his bible after the kid was pestering him about certain verses. No more, nothing less.
Eternity is more important than stupid rules. Why was it okay when I was in elementary school for my teachers to read the Bible every morning and say a short prayer? Look at schools now. Not much difference than juvenile detention centers. Coincidence? I obey God’s laws before man’s.