A federal appeals court has ruled two Texas principals can be held personally liable in a lawsuit over students distributing candy canes with Christian Christmas messages.

Principals Lynn Swanson and Jackie Bomchill had asked to be dismissed from the suit. They said they qualified for immunity, but a lower court disagreed. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans affirmed that ruling this week.

Four Plano, Texas families filed the suit. The parents say their children were banned from handing out Christmas candy canes, pencils with the message "Jesus is the reason for the season," and other religious cards and materials.

The principals' attorney, Tom Brandt, says his clients will appeal. He says his clients did not practice religious-viewpoint discrimination as the lawsuit alleges.