Crowd voices concern over religion in school

By Lynn Hotaling

"We've come today because we're concerned about some things that have been talked about," said the Rev. Keith Ashe.

The group's attendance at Monday's school board meeting was apparently prompted by rumors circulating in the community that students would no longer be allowed to wear religious-themed jewelry or T-shirts to school.

"Just about everyone in here has something with God on it," he said. "For example, every penny says ŚIn God We Trust.' I've never heard of a little boy or little girl told they couldn't pay for their lunch with money with God on it.

"I'm offended, and others here are offended," Ashe continued. "Every time we read the paper it says the school board needs money. They say they need money with God on it, but we can't pray?"

"We are taking nothing away from your children," said school board Chairman Martha Queen. "But the law says adults in charge have rules they have to follow."

After Queen emphasized that the board did not intend to make any policy decisions that night, school board attorney Paul Holt offered an explanation to the crowd.

"The rules and regulations are already in place. We have a separation of church and state. A teacher is an employee of the state; therefore, a teacher cannot pursue, push or in any way advocate religion. This board does not have to make any decision for that to be the law of the land," said Holt, referring to the Supreme Court rulings.

"The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of speech can be limited only when it provides a Śclear and present danger.' Wearing a T-shirt with a gospel message does not represent a danger, and Jesus said to go out and spread his word," said the Rev. Clifford Parker.

"I don't disagree, but the Supreme Court does," Holt said. "A teacher is an employee of the state."

"We are not trying to take Christianity away from your children," Queen said. "They can take their Bibles to school if they want to. If students want to pray, we're not taking that away. We're not taking away crosses or angel pins."

During an October meeting, Queen and board member Ali Laird-Large reported on a meeting they had attended that included discussion of recent Supreme Court rulings with regard to religion. In light of these rulings, they said, local school board members must make sure adequate policies are in place to protect both students and school system employees. Board members opted to contract with outgoing Superintendent Frank Burrell to provide a complete revision of board policy.

The local board held a work session for principals Nov. 21 so an attorney for the state school board association could explain court decisions with regard to religious activities led by school personnel on school grounds.

Smoky Mountain High School Principal Kenny Nicholson said last week's session helped him identify three areas of concern - faculty sponsors and religious organizations; graduation prayers; and prayer before ball games. It appears that a faculty member can no longer take a leadership role in religious clubs like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Nicholson said. A faculty member should be present, but as more of an observer, or monitor.

Prayers said during graduation exercises could change this year because Supreme Court rulings indicate such prayers must be non-sectarian and non-proselytizing, Nicholson said.

"We may look toward a moment of silence at graduation instead," Nicholson said.

The third matter that must be re-examined at SMHS is prayer in the locker room before ball games, he said. It appears that a coach cannot lead a prayer, and that he must make sure all players understand they do not have to join in any student-initiated prayer.

Burrell said the local system is already following the law in most cases. Schools can still have student-initiated prayer, he said, but people employed by the school system cannot take a leadership role.

Students can still wear religious-themed jewelry or T-shirts, Burrell said, but faculty members cannot wear shirts or clothing that indicates a religious organization or church.

"These are public schools, and the teachers are publicly financed," Burrell said. "Teachers and school personnel must remain neutral. We need to be about the business of education."

Action on board policy dealing with religion is likely to come sooner than the July 1 target date for the complete revision.

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