by K. G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer
The Franklin County school board met in regular session on Oct. 14 and approved a change in the status of all Franklin County parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), making these organizations volunteer groups rather than school-supported organizations. The vote was 7–0, with Chris McDonough abstaining. In making this distinction, the PTO at North Lake Elementary should be able to open its meetings with prayer and not be in direct violation of the school board’s policies.
For this meeting, two people filled out the necessary paperwork to speak before the board: Jason Griffey, a librarian at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, who is a parent and lives in Sewanee; and Winston Tipps, a minister with the Church of Christ in Estill Springs.
“I hope that the North Lake PTO and any organization affiliated with public education can see the issues that are involved in the insistence of an opening prayer, and choose to end the practice, said Griffey.
“One is the insistence of having a prayer prior to a meeting of an organization that has such close ties to our public education system steps much too close to the legal line between church and state,” he said. There is a clear legal line that has been drawn repeatedly over the years through case law, as it relates to the protection of a central tenet of our Constitution, that the prejudicing of a single religion in affairs of the State is simply not allowed.
“The second reason is that not only do I think it’s the practical thing to do, but it’s also the right thing,” Griffey said.
“The priority of everyone associated with the educational system, whether formally or informally, should be to make the best use of the resources we have to ensure the excellence of the education of our children. Opening organizational meetings with a prayer is, by its nature, exclusionary to any Franklin County taxpayer of any differing faith. As we are a multi-denominational society, continuing on the existing path simply ensures a lack of multiple voices, as it indicates to those of differing faiths that their beliefs are not considered or respected. A multiplicity of voices is necessary in order to fully grasp an issue, to talk through and see all sides of a problem, and to ensure that the most effective and efficient solutions are pursued,” Griffey said.
Tipps then spoke: “We need both sides of the issue spoken so we can decide what is best to do,” said Tipps. “Our freedoms have been taken away from us slowly, starting in 1963 with the end of prayer in school. Our freedom has been taken away by the Supreme Court.
“We were founded with Christian principles. The Constitution gives no right to force someone, but we are smart enough to work something out. We can work within our Constitution and still have prayer at the meeting,” said Tipps.
Discussion included clarification on school board policies 2.404 , School Support Organizations, and policy 3.206, Community Use of School Facilities. Policy 4.805, Prayer and Period of Silence, was on the agenda, but was not discussed.
The school board approved a change in the status of all Franklin County PTOs, specifying that these organizations are volunteer groups, not school-supported organizations, and not officially affiliated with the school system.
Policy 2.404 will now include the language that “Parent Organizations and Parent-Teacher Organizations are neither school-sponsored clubs nor student-initiated clubs. They are considered independent, ‘outside clubs or groups,’ which must meet the terms of this policy to be able to use the name, mascot or logo of a school or the school district to solicit or raise money, materials, property, securities, services, or other things of value. Neither principals nor teachers of any school shall be on any parent organization or Parent-Teacher Organization board of directors.”
PTOs still must have documentation confirming the status as a nonprofit organization, a written statement of the goals and objectives of the group, and a written policy specifying procedures for accounting.
Policy 3.206 was changed to include “School facilities shall not be used primarily for religious purposes on a permanent basis (as determined by the Board).”
“Community use of a building is not primarily used for religious purposes,” said Rebecca Sharber, director of schools.
“The majority wants to allow the PTO to conduct business as they always have,” said Chris Guess. “The PTO will be a separate and stand- alone organization from the school as a 501(c)(3).”
“The PTO will have nothing to do with the school system,” said chairman Kevin Caroland. “They will be free to do what they will.”
The parent organization or the parent-teacher organization will still be allowed to use the school facilities. Teachers and principals will be volunteers only, and not be mandated to serve on the organization board. These organizations will also have to pay their own liability insurance.
North Lake PTO was administratively dissolved in February 2012 by the state of Tennessee. As of Oct. 9, 2013, it was reinstated as an active business entity, according to state records available online.
In other business, the board addressed two matters of policy.
School board policy 1.404, Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board, was changed to align the policy with the corresponding form. Individuals wanting to appear before the board may request placement on the agenda seven calendar days before the meeting. Remarks will be limited to five minutes.
Policy 3.208 is a new policy concerning facility planning as recommended by the Tennessee School Board Association. The policy calls for the director of schools to annually assess the facility needs as one of the initial steps in the annual budget process. The assessment shall include a review of every work site with specific input from the school principals and appropriate supervisors. This includes an asbestos management plan, maintenance concerns, safety concerns, and building and site deficiencies.
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