School Version 2.0- Bibles in Schools

There has been a lot of mis-information about the distribution of Bibles in our schools, and I would like to set the record straight. I am sure that everyone knows of the excellent and important work that the Gideons do in our community. I personally feel that putting the word of God into people’s hand can and does have life-changing effects. We have always invited them into our schools and they have given out Bibles to thousands of children over the years.

The Constitution and other laws are clear about what is allowed and what is not when it comes to religion and school. As a person who is heavily involved in both, I would like to tell you how I personally feel. I am a Christian. In my day-to-day life I use my faith not only as a means of support, but as a means of guidance. My faith is not separate from my job; they are forever joined. I would hope that every student, teacher and administrator would find the same comfort in faith that I have found.

As superintendent of Columbus County Schools, I am bound to uphold the laws and constitution of the state and of the country. One of those laws states that to allow Bibles to be distributed in grades K-8 is unconstitutional. Could we fight this? We could. We have received, in writing, a letter that says that if we do distribute Bibles in those grades, we WILL be sued. Estimates are hard to gather, but even if we won a lawsuit, excess legal fees could run many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our school system or county government would have to pay for this- we could not use state or federal funds. We have also been told by our liability insurance carrier that no coverage would be provided for such a lawsuit.. That money needs to stay in our schools and in our community, where it can help give our students the tools they need to be successful. We will continue to review requests for distribution of materials in school on a case-by-case basis. However, under laws of Equal Access, if we provide one group access to distribute materials, we must provide EVERY group access. This could mean that we may be forced to provide access to groups that are controversial in nature.

Do these changes mean that religion is leaving our schools? Far from it. Students of all grades, as well as staff, may bring Bibles to school to read during non-instructional time. Several of our school facilities have Bible study groups that meet after school, and many of the students in our schools participate in clubs that are faith-based. Many of our students participate in “Rally Round the Flag”, a student-led before-school prayer. Every classroom in our system has in it the national motto of the United States, “In God We Trust”.

I know that many of you will be upset that we are following the law. As a leader and a role model, I must follow the law if I am to ask our staff and our students to do the same. But beyond following the law, I will follow my heart. I will continue to be a role model to our young men and women, and I would encourage all of you out there to truly consider what is the right thing to do in this situation. Is it really the right thing to spend time and energy fighting for a cause, or is it the right thing to spend the same time and energy fighting for our young people, getting them to go to church, and helping them become their best when they are there?

Our school system desperately needs the help of faith-based organizations. Our District Strategic Plan requires that every one of our schools partners with two faith-based organizations. Our school system and the Columbus County Economic Development Commission have started an initiative that would give every church in the county an opportunity to mentor a handful of students. We have identified almost 150 churches. If each church takes a few children under its collective wing, helps them, both spiritually and academically, think of the positive impact that would have. We all know that when a child knows someone cares, they are much more likely to strive to their full potential; in many cases our churches may be the only hope for a child to find someone who cares. While we cannot give Bibles to students in schools, we can invite them into our churches and show them the Bible in practice. I hope that we, as members of the faith community, will funnel our energies in this positive direction, and help bring Christian principals off the page and into practice. In order for our children to fully understand the Bible, they must see us adults put it in action, not just in words. Now is the chance for all people of faith in Columbus County to do just that.

School-Version 2.0 - Athletics

We’ve been talking lately about the changes taking place in education. We have talked a great deal about what goes on inside the classroom. Today I want to discuss the great work that goes on outside of the classroom through our athletics programs.

As most of you know, the South Columbus High School football team was recently crowned the North Carolina Eastern 2A Champions. It was a personal thrill to watch the team play in the finals at Carter-Finley stadium in Raleigh, and while they didn’t win, I think I speak for everyone in Columbus County when I say how very proud we are of Coach Price and his staff, as well as the administration, faculty and staff, and of course the players. Recently, baseball teams and basketball teams from West Columbus have played in state championships and have represented our county extremely well.

I personally feel that athletics play a vital role in our schools. Each year hundreds of students make vital connections between what takes place on the field or court, what takes place in the classroom, and what takes place in life. Involving a student in athletics is perhaps the most effective strategy we have to keep students in schools and to minimize discipline problems. Our coaches also provide our students with very important role models and allow students that struggle in the classroom an opportunity to experience success. We all know that when a child experiences success in SOMETHING, he/she is much more likely to me successful in EVERYTHING. The coaches in our county work tirelessly and selflessly, not just to win, but to help young men and women reach their full potential. I frequently hear from parents or fellow teachers about coaches going that extra mile. One parent told me about a coach that personally paid for basketball equipment for players whose parents couldn’t afford it. Every coach in our system makes great personal sacrifices for little or no pay, because they believe in the power of what they are doing. Our athletic teams, even those that don’t have many wins on the field or court, help to create many winners in life.

We are currently striving to expand our athletic programs. Soccer and volleyball have been added to middle school athletics. We continue to expand and enhance our high school athletic programs. We also realize the role that physical activity should play in the every day lives of our students. The Healthy Active Children Policy adopted by the State Board of Education requires all students in grades K-8 to engage in 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. Our curriculum coordinators have implemented across all areas “energizers”- short integrated activities that help add physical movement to academic classes. We also require that all classes have some built in physical activity, especially on the high school level.

Fifty years ago, athletics and physical activity were often treated as extras, separating student’s minds and bodies. We realize today, in order to educate the WHOLE child we must educate the minds AND the bodies of our students in an integrated and meaningful way.