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.