By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Religion classes can be offered to Bowling Green City School students – but they aren’t going to take place during school hours.
The Board of Education members agreed Tuesday evening that the idea that students leaving school to attend religious instruction won’t be missing anything important is very wrong.
Last month, the board was asked by a handful of parents – some from outside the district – to allow students to attend LifeWise Bible education classes during school hours. Eastwood and Elmwood school districts do so already.
In 1952, the Supreme Court ruled students can be released from public school during school hours to attend religion classes. For districts to offer the religious time during school hours, the court said the classes must meet three criteria:
- They must take place off school property.
- They must be privately funded.
- Parents must give their permission for students to attend.
The website for LifeWise Academy states its curriculum is designed to take students through the entire Bible, beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation, over the course of five years.
Superintendent Francis Scruci said Tuesday that as a former history and American government teacher he has a hard time rationalizing time away from school with the nation’s commitment to freedom of religion and separation of church and state.
“I cannot bring myself to support this during the school day,” Scruci said.
Students have suffered enough loss of academic time during COVID, he said. And “special” classes like art, music and physical education should not be dismissed as unimportant.
The Ohio Department of Education continues to add more requirements for public schools – and taking away time during the school day would be counterproductive, he added.
Scruci said the district already provides social-emotional curriculum, and allows religious groups (Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Keep Watch) to use the school buildings before and after school hours.
“As a district, we must prioritize the academic needs of our students,” he said.
“If it’s important, before or after school should work just as well,” he said.
Michael Perkins, of Cygnet, said he doesn’t want his children to be denied the opportunity to participate in afterschool activities like sports.
“I don’t want my children to have to choose,” he said. “I’m just asking that the Constitution be upheld and the students be given that right.”
The Constitution does not say students must be able to leave during school hours for religious instruction – just that the school district may allow it.
A few other parents spoke for and against the LifeWise Academy program Tuesday evening.
Mary Vollmar, of Bowling Green, said LifeWise Academy would address the spiritual needs of students.
“It’s very crucial,” she said, reminding the board that the Ohio Constitution allows for the release of children during the school day with their parents’ approval. Vollmar said students already choose their classes – this would give them more freedom of choice.
“I ask you to offer this opportunity to students,” Vollmar said.
Mark Holtzscher, of Haskins, said he sent his children to private school and he would like other children to have the same opportunities his children had. “It’s all positive, nothing negative,” he said.
After the meeting, Holtzscher said boards of education “don’t want Jesus” in public schools.
But Brenda Fite, of Bowling Green, said it’s wrong to deprive students of classes like music, art and physical education in order to send them to religious education. She suggested that if the supporters of LifeWise Academy believe so strongly in the program, then perhaps they should offer it during non-school hours.
Fite also questioned the inclusivity of a religion program that focuses only on the Christian faith.
Board President Ryan Myers said public schools are under pressure to meet goals. “They don’t want to lose any more time,” he said. He agreed before or after school use of the buildings would be acceptable.
Board member Ginny Stewart talked about the great deal of time school counselors and psychologists work on student wellness issues.
Board member Tracy Hovest said the logistics of students leaving school during the day and then returning for classes would be a challenge. She said offering the buildings before or after the school day would be a “great compromise.”
And board member Jill Carr strongly objected to the idea that “special” classes should be discarded so students can leave school for religious instruction. “I take umbrage that art, music and physical education aren’t as important as other classes,” Carr said. “You’re absolutely wrong.”
