To the editor,
We would like to publicly thank the teachers, school administrators and parents for the showing of support for the release time program. It is a fast-paced world that has put demands on our schedules, and we realize there is an increase in the requirements put on teachers and administrators. We want to fully support the effort to educate our young people. The 10 weeks of one-hour release time on Wednesdays this past school year has been a privilege. Although the release time program has been in accordance with state law, we consider it a privilege.
We as your pastors will be working with the school board, believing that a well-rounded education includes this community-wide, long-standing tradition of release time. Though a couple local ministers favor reduced time, the majority of ministers in our community still favor a minimum of 13 weeks. We believe that one hour per student per week does not put their education in jeopardy, therefore it is reasonable to request that the release time students not miss critical subject material. We will seek resolution with the help of the school administrators.
We believe that education and knowledge alone do not produce model citizens. Release time provides the opportunity to emphasize the following: love, honor, respect, mercy, forgiveness, duty, self-control, kindness, morality, and faith. These attributes not only aid in reducing the behavioral problems that undermine the educational process, but these virtues also promote a positive classroom atmosphere.
Building a community together,
Pastor Ted Clarke, First Baptist Church
Pastors of the following churches also signed this letter: First Assembly of God, Church, Berean Baptist Church, The Salvation Army, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Northwoods Bible Church, Full Gospel Fellowship, Evangelical Covenant Church and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
