Elementary School board Approves Sending Church Messages Home with Parents
By Staff
Oct 18, 2006, 09:06
The
Christian Civic League of Maine came to the aid of an Angel this
month. Angel Merchant, the Sunday School Superintendent of the Otis
Baptist Church encountered some difficulties with her local elementary
school. At the beginning of the school year the principal of Beech
Hill Elementary School forbade Merchant from distributing flyers
advertising church programming. The school had allowed such
distributions in the past. This longstanding practice was reversed by
the principal who later was backed by her Superintendent.
Angel contacted the League and asked for our help. Our executive director, Mike Heath, wrote to the Superintendent after reviewing the written reasoning for the change in policy.
The new policy was based on an interpretation of a Maine statute. Referencing the statute Heath wrote in his email to Superintendent Omar Norton, "If this policy means that the school cannot pay for religious training or activity then it may be legal, I'm not sure." Heath continued, "If, however, the policy means that secular (non religious) activities and causes may be advertised to students and faculty while religious ones are prohibited the school may be practicing viewpoint discrimination." Heath concluded, "That is illegal."
The matter ended up before the School Committee and resulted in a letter to the League from Superintendent Norton. He wrote, "You will be pleased to learn that the School Committee approved sending all community messages home in accordance with what I learned has been past practice." An email received from Angel Merchant confirmed that this meant the church would not be discriminated against by the school.
Angel received a call from the principal indicating that fliers could now be distributed. She wrote, "What an awesome answer to prayer!" She continued, "Thanks for all your help and suggestions. You folks are a wonderful resource for Christians in Maine."
Reflecting on the incident Heath made a few observations. He allowed that the old phrase is correct, you do draw more bees with honey than vinegar. He was proud of the school system and superintendent for responding to the matter appropriately. And, lastly, Heath observed that Angels who use their wings to fly are better than Angels who simply view their wings as accessories. He's glad that Angel Merchant didn't just take "No" for an answer. Christians have done that for too long.
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