1/31/2008
Christian morals infused in school kids. Tsk tsk.
Saturday’s newspaper told of the Kimberly School District again being scrutinized by one of these anti-Christian First Amendment outfits. According to the Post-Crescent, Heather Weaver, litigation counsel for Americans United, wrote in a letter to the district: ‘We believe that the [Positive Youth Foundation] is at best, in symbiosis with the district, and at worst, a district operation through and through.”
Oh my gosh. The sky is falling.
The Positive Youth Foundation of the Kimberly Area School District is a private, 501(c)(3) that helps groups geographically located in the district put on positive programs for kids. They are a separate entity – completely – from the Kimberly Area School District.
Now, I say the Foundation is a separate entity. But there might indeed, be a couple of sticking points. - The Foundation’s mailing address is the School District’s central office (because the President of the School Board is also the President of the Foundation, and the District’s Superintendent serves on the board of the foundation.) So they share a mailbox. And some dedicated community members.
- The Foundation’s grant application form is on the School District’s web site.
- The Foundation has used the district copy machine at times for routine copying.
Ok, so taxpayers don’t want to be paying for every Tom, Dick and Harry’s copying and web site costs. I can understand that. Find a copy place – and a new web site.
But here’s the question. Regardless of whether or not religious organizations are funded by the Foundation, its purpose is absolutely secular in nature. What could be more secular than to want your kids to grow up infused with sound moral principles?
And for gosh sakes, folks in the community should be thrilled (as I think most in Kimberly are), that folks actively involved in their school district are also actively involved in sponsoring “Positive Youth” activities. Wow.
And just for the record (and I think, no coincidence), the Kimberly District sponsors one of the best comprehensive drug and alcohol prevention programs in the area – and they’ve shown excellent results in keeping their kids off drugs.
Tuesday’s New York Times op-ed page included “The Faith to Outlast Politics,” written by two former officials in the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. They record the reasons the new White House program fell short of its promises, but share too, that “every major presidential candidate seems open” to carrying on these important efforts. Hillary Clinton has declared that there is no contradiction between “support for faith-based initiatives and upholding our constitutional principles.” John McCain has supported the idea especially as it relates to improving educational programs for disadvantaged children. Barack Obama describes faith-based programs as a “uniquely powerful way of solving problems” especially where former prisoners and substance abusers are concerned. When he was governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney created his own faith-based office.
Politicians from both parties have come to realize that faith-based programs are indispensable even if they are not miraculous.
It’s a good article – inspiring and promising. I say keep it up Kimberly – and anyone else doing anything to bring morality, respect and kindness back to our schools and communities.
COMMENTS
Jo,
I think you put your finger on the solution in the bullet points. The organization should completely separate its self from the Kimberly School district. Then they can complete their mission without violating the constitution. Why wouldn't they take these simple steps?
dave allen (Thu Jan 31 06:59:38 2008)
Glad to see you recognize this situation. Couple weeks ago I had a letter to the Post Crescent published on this subject. I wish someone with knowledge of how to do it would check into this Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Wouldn't be surprised if George Soros was a major player. I sub at Kimberly high school and middle school and know first hand the fantastic job the school district, teachers and administration are doing. Keep up the good work, Jo.
Dick Griesser (Thu Jan 31 09:11:23 2008)
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! A quick read of the Post-Crescent's story and the comments raise a few other questions you didn't mention. Are they true? The superintendent adds religious phrases into speeches and calendars? His admin assistant's job description says they operate the PYD? Money laundering to religious groups? The "Bod Squad" presentation included scripture lessons and religious songs, brought in by a group headed by the school board president? In-school "Miracle minutes" to raise funds for a senior with leukemia, handing out lit that says "God Bless" for the fundraising, praising the kid's faith in newsletters? You can do this without the religious overtones. Let the investigation begin. Many districts manage to carry out character education without injecting religion. It's an amazing coincidence, but in the districts that do attempt to use religion, the admins promote their personal religion and not someone else's. It's only a matter of time before they will learn about the law and the reasons behind it. I don't see anything wrong with opening school buildings for public uses after hours, but I don't like to see those in power using their influence to stretch the rules and steer donations to favor their own beliefs. As you know, this topic will interest me due to my involvement with the cancellation of The Power Team assemblies in SE WI.
John Foust (Thu Jan 31 09:17:40 2008)
This is America John. So pleased to provide you a platform to spout your anti-religious sentiments.
Dick, it's my understanding the Alliance Defense Fund and the Liberty Counsel are standing at the ready to aid the Positive Youth Foundation and its Board in following the law and precedent thoroughly and in fighting off any improper legal attacks.
Jo E. (Thu Jan 31 09:32:23 2008)
I am getting tired of the misrepresentations regarding the Positive Youth Development Foundation (PYDF). I have been on its board since the foundation was created. And, for six years I doubled as a member of the PYDF board and as a member of the Kimberly school board, including serving four years as its president. First of all, absolutely no taxpayer money is used in the grant making process. All grant moneys provided by the PYDF are raised through fundraisers or by donations. We have held an alumni basketball tournament in the past, and will do so again next year, along with conducting a Fore Our Kids golf outing every year, amongst other activities. Of course, we always welcome donations. There are many people in the school district who have put in a lot of time over the years of the foundation to help these fundraisers succeed. And, yes, some of these people are school district staff members. The fact that they work for the school district should not diminish, or eliminate, their concern for the youth of our community. I thank them for continuing their efforts beyond the classroom. The mission of the foundation is provide funds to help organizations provide positive activities for the youth of the Kimberly Area School District. Our only concerns are that the activity involve more than one student and that the event organizer be legitimate. We make no distinction for the religion of the organization. Far more grants are provided to non-religious entities than to religious groups, but that fails to get mentioned in the media. Also, the PYDF rarely sponsors an event itself. We usually just provide some funds to assist the activity in taking place. The PYDF did not bring in the "Bod Squad", but we saw it as an event that provided a positive message to our youth. I am very proud to have been raised in, currently live in, and been fortunate to give some of my time back to a community that cares about providing a positive atmosphere for its kids.
Tom Sanders (Thu Jan 31 11:30:46 2008)
I'm glad to see that FP is back on topic with something actually related to the local community.
No screed from me on this topic (though I am tempted.) The proof seems to be pretty clear that an investigation is needed.
While funding may not be gotten out of the public coffers directly it does not confute the logic that public school functions not be religious in nature nor that religious speech be an inducement and promotion of participation.
There are all kinds of backhanded, if not underhanded ways of getting this message to so-called wayward students.
How many different ways of saying "Stop it" are needed for this situation to be corrected?
Lon Ponschock (Thu Jan 31 13:06:58 2008)
Boy howdy - if y'all think this is mixing religion with education, you should see some rural districts down south.
Long speeches by the superintendent, who also happens to pastor the local Baptist church. Church trailers parked one foot over the property line so that kids being taught at 'church' school can be said to not be on school property.
My fourth grade teacher was a graduate of the local religious college and mixed in bible lessons with school work. She was also one of the better teachers I had - because of or in spite of her faith? Who knows - who cares?
What it comes down to is that my faith, though at the time protestant, was not squarely in line with the dominant theology in small-town Oklahoma. To the Baptist way of thinking 'close enough for government work' did not apply to theology and Episcopalians - nice enough though we were - we could not field a softball team and were bound for Hell.
What I'm saying is that my faith in my own creed was strong enough to ignore the foo-faw and enjoy the spectacle.
We expose kids to different thoughts and creeds for a reason - so they'll grow up to be strong young men and women secure in themselves and strong of intellect.
For that matter - isn't this just what Mr. Ponschock wants public schools to do? Mission accomplished!
Brian (Thu Jan 31 13:55:38 2008)
Folks, it's time to bring the fight to them. If you believe that the Constitution guarantees Freeom of Religion, not Freedom From Religion, we need to audit and retaliate using the same tactics they employ. Two can engage in these puerile exercises in meaningless but harmful destruction of Positive living for our children. Do we take up the call to do so or continue to allow this transgression to continue?
Richard (Thu Jan 31 16:16:57 2008)
Yes, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. But when the state or its agent directly promotes religion then you cross the line. Students in any public school can pray any time they want, they can use the school facilities for after hours religious activities that they want to organize themselves. But, in the case when the school system is actively promoting a religious activity the line is crossed. I'm not saying that happened here but it is suspicious. I would like to pose the question: How would your position change if the school officials involved were Muslim or Wiccans?
The critical point here is that school district personnel are involved with a Foundation that is "directly promoting" morality and ethics. What morality are they - and we as a community promoting? That must be the driving question. JE
dave allen (Fri Feb 01 07:38:23 2008)
"How would your position change if the school officials involved were Muslim or Wiccans? "
My wife and some of my children _are_ Wicca so .. no my position would not change.
Which is that this is not a violation of church/state but the guys should do what they can to show that it's not.
Brian (Fri Feb 01 09:25:16 2008)
What I find puzzling is that Jo Egelhoff believes that school superintendents and boards are incapable of fairly representing referendum needs (in her blog 'Taxpayer-funded referendum "education"' 1/22/2008) yet when it comes to soliciting donations while wearing their school hats, and running supposedly private foundations out of school offices, and laundering those donations towards groups they support, the same critters are fair-minded and capable of staying within the law.
John Foust (Fri Feb 01 12:36:50 2008)
John, you're comparing apples and bananas. AND you're implying actions by the Foundation that may or may not be the case. These people are doing good things. IF (Big IF) there are elements of the law and precedence which the Foundation is violating, I'm sure they will take corrective actions. Be assured as well that you are right in inferring that it's critical the taxpayer not be paying for work of the Foundation.
Jo E. (Fri Feb 01 13:02:27 2008)
Jo,
I invite you to come and visit with me sometime to see the good work the Positive Youth Development Foundation has done in our community. Several months ago the PC asked for records from the school district and the Foundation. They were eagerly turned over and Foundation board members met with the PC staff. The Washington group will also get all the records they have requested. The district and the Foundation have nothing to hide. I have had many words of encouragement about this issue from our citizens. People have sent in donations because of all the press. There is no uproar from our community to separate the foundation from the district. Quite the contrary. If some federal judge tells the district that the foundation must be separated from the district, of course the district will comply. If a lawsuit is filed by the Washington folks I would recommend that the district not spend one penny defending the suit. However we have been contacted by organizations that might be willing to defend a lawsuit. In any case there are many motivated people on the Foundation board including myself who will continue to work hard to insure the positive development of our children. It is an uphill battle but a battle that is worth fighting for. In my career as an educator I have seen countless children whose lives become fraught with misery because very few care. In Kimberly many of us care enough to work hard to raise a few dollars to support groups and organizations that do good things for our children. Many children have been positively affected by the money raised by the Foundation. I realize that some have been critical of the relationship between the District and the Foundation. I find that criticism is good for the soul. It makes one reflect on thoughts and actions. If I thought I was doing something wrong I would have stopped long ago. Frankly, I think raising money to aid in the positive development of our children is well worth my time and action. Thank God (oops) many others in our community feel it is also important to them. I guess we are just trying to make a difference. I enjoy reading your blogs from time to time. Did not believe that this issue would be worth your time. Many more important issues you could be writing about. Call me anytime you would like to talk or visit. God Bless. Thank God for you and the Foundation Mr. Lightner. I'm with you. Am very pleased ADF and Liberty Counsel are there for you. Keep up the good fight. JE
Mel Lightner (Fri Feb 01 16:28:28 2008)
Jo,
Whether the Foundation or the administrators are doing "good" is irrelevant from the point of separation of church and state. They simply cannot use school stationary or their school offices(meaning their official position) or school supplies to do the Foundations work. They can simply wear a different hat on their own time.
dave allen (Fri Feb 01 17:44:30 2008)
Brian,
I applaud your open mindedness about tolerating a group run by Muslims or Wiccans. I ask the question in a slightly different way, how about if the Muslims were accomplishing the same value based programs but using the Koran as their reference point and not the Bible?
dave allen (Fri Feb 01 17:48:26 2008)
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