Released time religious education coming to city schools - what residents told the BOE

Community members reacted strongly at the Board of Education's Tuesday meeting on each side of the debate about released time for religious instruction in the Wooster City School District.

Board Policy 5223 was adopted by the district in 2005 and allows the program to be held off-site, without school funding, in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.

The topic occupied the board's Tuesday meeting, even though it was not on the agenda.

Released time religious education is planned for Wooster's elementary schools and Edgewood Middle School.

Most of the responses to the district's participation were submitted by email and read to the board by Assistant Superintendent Brian Madigan.

Varied responses from the community

Remarks ranged from favorable, calling the program a constitutional right and a benefit to students, to oppositional, critiquing separating students and taking time away from academic curriculum.

Dustin Welty praised the board for choosing to be "an open and inclusive environment," contending if the district would reconsider the program, it "would be sending a clear message that they do not value diverse opinion and points of view."

Becky Thorne's statement expressed her understanding that the board policy is allowed by Ohio law, but asked the members "revisit this policy." She said public school children should receive religious instruction outside of school hours.

"Releasing kids during the middle of the school day is not enough separation between church and state," she said.

On the other hand, Kim Horst said, released time is "valid as a practice of our freedom of religion" and a person's right to participate without interference.

"It is fully voluntary, thus not infringing on the religious belief of those who choose not to participate," Thomas Broyles said in his statement. "It does not infringe on the valuable education our students are already receiving; it only expands on it."

'Choice' is the real word

"This is just one more opportunity that we as a school district are opening up for personal choice," said Jennifer Broyles.

"I am so pleased that Wooster will be joining many other districts across the county and state for release time religious education," said Susan Mendenhal. "It is constitutional, and it is very much needed in today's climate."

According to Melissa Hughes, "There are several other activities the school provides that not all parents agree on, but the real word here is choice. If parents and students want to attend, then it is perfectly fitting."

Scott Boyes said he supports "providing children with an opportunity to learn about morals and character through learning from a non-denominational presentation of the Bible."

Samantha Gentry said she attended a similar program when she was growing up, and she is so excited for her first- grade student to have the same opportunity.

Ryan and Emily Chenevey's statement said in areas like Columbus and other locations throughout the state the programs "have proven to be assets to the community."

Kathy Gopp said it is "an opportunity for students to learn and grow in the spiritual aspect of their being. The Bible is the best way to learn about Jesus."

Concerns include disruption to the school day

Others raised significant concerns.

Barb Friedhoff submitted a statement about her own experience in Pennsylvania where her sons attended elementary school.

"I can attest to the division among students and disruption to the school day that programs like this create," Friedhoff said. "I wish that there had been public discussion within a board meeting before these programs were allowed to proceed."

While understanding the legality of the program, she suggested the board and superintendent put policy 5223 on a future board agenda for the purpose of modifying it to consider holding programs such as this before, after, or outside the school day.

Friedhoff also questioned, based on restrictions of the policy, why the organization called The Rock was allowed to distribute pencils and flyers at school open houses.

"If those materials were not for solicitation for attendance, what was their purpose?" she asked.

"Take a stand for true separation between church and state," said Laura Burch, who read her statement. "Do not be intimidated by religious zealots. Our country is seeing a rise in religious fascism."

Burch suggested religious instruction programs "compete with other non-school activities, rather than competing with public school instruction time."

She also asked the board to rescind policy 5223.

Caroline Leslie said the religious organization's recruitment of students at her daughter's elementary school with flyers may have been in violation of the policy prohibiting solicitation for attendance in religious instruction on district premises.

"I am very curious who approved their attendance on school grounds," she said.

Leslie's statement expressed her fear the program will interrupt the school day, separate students and result in loss of instructional time for students who are not part of the program waiting for the others to return to class. She questioned whether proponents would be equally supportive of other religions or faiths introducing similar programs and recruiting students on school grounds.

A 'momentous' change for Wooster City Schools

Mady Noble, who read her statement in person, said allowing released time for the first time since the policy was adopted 18 years ago "is such a momentous change for Wooster City Schools. (That it) is happening with no general announcement or community input is dismaying, to say the least."

A retired Wooster High School teacher, Noble said, "I have great respect for this school system and the excellent education provides." However, "the main issue here is not about who is paying for it or the unquestionable importance and value of daily Bible or Koran study. It's about taking noncurricular time out of the public school day for a program that separates young children on the basis of religion."

Noble asked the board to consider carefully whether the released time policy "truly serves the best interest of all the children in your care. Many residents are proud that Wooster is an increasingly diverse community, and we want our voices to be heard."

LifeWise leader Carrie Snyder's statement said the program will take place off of school property and without public funding. Snyder said no one will be pressured to attend, and the time slot being used is short and will not interfere with core curriculum.

"The same type of program has been implemented in public schools across Ohio, and those schools have seen many positive outcomes,"  Snyder said.

An OHuddle mentoring program volunteer, Matt Mummert, agreed, pointing out, "studies have been conducted to show that Bible studies reduce anger, bitterness and substance abuse, while raising attentiveness and work ethic."

Superintendent Gabe Tudor comments on RTE programs

On Wednesday morning Wooster Superintendent Gabe Tudor clarified points about the program, saying the ORC permits Released Time Education (RTE), but school districts decide whether to adopt a policy allowing it.

"The district could reduce/increase the amount of time permitted for RTE," he said in an email, but "could not adjust policy to allow the district to pick and choose what type of RTE is permitted."

While the policy could be rescinded, Tudor said in the email, "the board did not feel it would have been appropriate to make an abrupt change to policy at this time."

What RTE will look like in Wooster City Schools

Where and when RTE will begin in the district is not known at this time, Tudor said. "The organizations will be responsible for informing us of their start date, student rosters, and location prior to the district permitting students to leave for RTE."

Tudor said in his email it "appears that parents have expressed interest and that there will be students registered to participate."

The Rock will provide the program for elementary students in grades one to four, and Lifewise, for Edgewood Middle School students in grades five through seven.

"The Rock intends to utilize one day per week at each elementary from 8:55-9:25 a.m.," Tudor said.

LifeWise will use the morning elective period one day a week for each grade level at Edgewood.

During the board meeting, board members Sue Herman and Danielle Schantz said teachers should be encouraged to share what impact, if any, the program has on their classrooms.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Released time religious education coming to Wooster City Schools