Will a Fresno court force this private Christian school to close? Here’s the latest

Fresno County authorities on Thursday filed an injunction to force Immanuel Schools to close, more than a week after the private Christian school in Reedley flouted emergency government orders by bringing students and teachers back to campus.

“In spite of the State Orders or the County Health Order, Immanuel Schools continues to operate in-person class instruction and other activities involving hundreds of students,” county officials said in the complaint.

Immanuel Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. School officials have been tight-lipped about their decision to keep students on campus.

The Reedley-based private school opened its doors to students Aug. 13, ignoring orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom to keep schools closed in counties on the state’s coronavirus watchlist – including Fresno County.

County officials noted the private school draws students from various communities outside of Reedley and said there was a “critical” need to “avoid so called super-spreader events that can occur at congregant settings such as schools.”

“This heightens the health risk involved in the unprotected in-person instruction of hundreds of students,” officials said in the complaint.

Operating in-person learning creates an “immediate and serious threat to the health and safety” to Reedley and the rest of Fresno County, county officials argued.

A hearing is set for Tuesday in Fresno County Superior Court.