CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Senate Bill 280 is requiring public schools and state institutions to display the U.S. motto, "In God We Trust." Gov. Patrick Morrisey hopes this will teach students the values and belief system that formed the country.

“It's seemingly a small gesture, but I think it matters,” Morrisey said. "It matters because we have to consistently remind people how we got here in order to continue to aspire to be the best country on the face of the earth."

Signs must be placed in an area accessible to the public according to Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, who sponsored the bill in the last legislative session. The bill was well-received by most all lawmakers, and Azinger is happy with the support.

"Some classrooms already have them up. Some counties made their own,” Azinger said. “They're even showing up in boards of education."

But not everyone supports the idea. Community organizer Morgan Elisabeth, who practices Islam said there needs to be fairness to all types of religions.

"You cannot force people into religion,” Elisabeth said. “We certainly shouldn't be doing so in a public school when we have people across all faiths or no faith at all in the schools. But if we are going to do that, let's make sure that we are inclusive of all faiths."

Elisabeth feels there are bigger issues the state should shift their focus to instead of hanging these signs in schools.

"This is super-performative. These children have some of the lowest literacy rates in the entire country,” she said. “If they can't read the sign, I guess it doesn't really matter if you put the sign up."