Judge Finds Hermon School Committee Discriminated Against Church

A federal judge ruled the committee's lease decision violated Pines Church's First Amendment rights and Maine's Human Rights Act.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Christianity

Judge Finds Hermon School Committee Discriminated Against Church

Live Poll

Should local public schools be required to rent space to churches on the same terms as other groups?

U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker ruled that the Hermon School Committee discriminated against Pines Church after the committee rejected its application for a year-long lease of high school space and instead voted 4-1 to offer a month-to-month arrangement. Walker awarded the church and its pastor, Matt Gioia, $1 in damages plus other fees.

Why it matters

The ruling found that the church's religious association was a substantial factor in the committee's decision-making, a finding that bears on how public facilities in Maine may be made available to religious groups. The decision was issued in a 37-page written ruling that addresses both federal constitutional protections and state anti-discrimination law.

The court's 37-page ruling awarded $1 in damages plus fees, against a 4-1 committee vote for a month-to-month lease rather than the 12-month term the church sought. It is not yet known whether the committee will seek review of the decision.

The players

Hermon School Committee

The elected local body that governs the Hermon school district and voted on the church's lease offer.

Lance Walker

The U.S. District Court judge who presided over the case and issued the ruling finding discrimination.

Matt Gioia

The pastor who founded Pines Church after relocating his family from Colorado to Maine.

Micah Grant

The school superintendent who supported Gioia's vision for a year-long lease at Hermon High School.

The details

Pines Church, founded by Gioia after he relocated from Colorado to Maine during the COVID-19 pandemic, sought to rent Hermon High School space on a yearly basis after a School Committee member encouraged him to pursue it. Superintendent Micah Grant supported a year-long lease, but the committee voted in December 2022 to offer only a month-to-month arrangement, and the judge found that members Stephanie Oiler, Christopher McLaughlin and Karen Shorey exhibited bad motives during the process, including intrusive questions about the church's views on diversity, equity and inclusion, abortion and sexuality.

The COVID-19 pandemic period, when Gioia moved to Maine to start the church.
December 2022, when the School Committee voted 4-1 on the lease offer.
November 13, 2026, when Judge Walker issued the ruling.

Seasonal Patterns

The dispute follows a 2011 precedent in which The Rock Church rented Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School for Easter services, showing that Maine public school facilities have long been used by congregations. This ruling marks a departure, since the court found the committee's decision was shaped by the church's religious association.

For Maine residents and congregations, the ruling clarifies that public school facilities cannot be leased on terms shaped by a religious group's identity. Churches seeking space in comparable districts may find the 37-page decision a reference point when negotiating lease terms.

The takeaway

The case shows that a religious group's rental request to a public body is judged on the same neutral terms as any other applicant, and that differential treatment can be challenged under both federal and state law.