"It had nothing to do with the settlement," Williams said of his decision to resign. Williams and the district settled the lawsuit last week. "My wife and I thought about it and prayed over it and decided it was a good time to get out of public school teaching."

Williams' lawsuit generated international attention for Cupertino. He alleged his freedom of expression rights had been violated. In particular, he cited Stevens Creek Principal Patricia Vidmar's requests to screen his lesson plans in advance for religious content. Vidmar requested the materials in May 2004 in response to parental concern over the religious nature of some of Williams' lessons.

After attempting to negotiate with the district on his own, Williams sued with the help of the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian advocacy group The lawsuit sparked national controversy, with some claiming the district had banned the Declaration of Independence and others arguing Williams proselytized in the classroom.

As a result, Cupertino and school district officials received hundreds of angry letters and emails. The school also received threats, leading the sheriff's Westside substation to post officers outside the school.

A judge dismissed three of Williams' four allegations in March. His remaining cause of action, that he had been discriminated against based on his faith, had been scheduled to go to court in October. Williams and the district reached a settlement Aug. 11. However, no money was involved in the settlement.

"Williams and the ADF wanted it explicitly stated [that district decisions] are based on curriculum and not on a person," Mark Davis, the district's attorney, said. Davis added this has always been the district's policy. "[Teachers] are certainly allowed to teach religion in the right context and as long as it applies to the curriculum," he said.

"We are pleased," Alliance Defense Fund attorney Kevin Theriot said in a statement to the press. "The school district is to be commended for agreeing that its policy allows teachers, no matter what their religious beliefs, to use handouts of historical significance, including the Declaration of Independence."

Over the summer, the district also transferred Williams to Hyde Middle School, where he was scheduled to teach technology. Williams told the Cupertino Courier the transfer was against his wishes.

Williams now plans to relocate.

"We are planning to move up to Bend, Ore., where we have family," he said. "I'm interested in possibly doing some ministry."