The Jackson County Board of Education evaluated a proposal Tuesday to bring a voluntary Bible-based instruction program to Dodson Branch Elementary School for the upcoming school year.
Starlight Bible Academy Coordinator Shannon Anderson introduced the program as a “time-release” religious instruction initiative that operates off school grounds during the school day. Anderson said the program focuses on teaching Bible stories and life skills such as character development and responsibility while remaining strictly non-doctrinal.
“We’re not ramming ourselves into the school and inserting ourselves and saying, you know, we want all these kids,” Anderson said. “This is strictly voluntary. This is something that parents will be given information and if they want their kids to do this, they can sign up for it.”
Anderson said the program is legally permitted under a 1952 Supreme Court ruling that allows religious instruction during school hours if it occurs off-campus and is privately funded. She said the academy has already secured permission to use the community center located across the road from the school to ensure student safety.
“Our mission is to teach the Bible to our youth so that they can see the love of God and can learn to live out their love for God,” Anderson said. “The Bible principles that we teach are things that we feel like would be very helpful to these students.”
Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the district already has a board policy in place regarding time-release programs following state law changes two years ago. Hardy said he intends to consult with the school board attorney to ensure all liability and legal requirements are met before the program officially begins.
“Obviously we wouldn’t move forward without your blessing,” Hardy said. “I want to continue with the liability and all that to make sure before we definitely green light it and make sure just on both of our ends.”
Starlight Representative Kevin Daughrity said the program currently serves 92 students at Sycamore Elementary in Putnam County, representing approximately one-third of that school’s population. Daughrity said the program is designed to fit into “encore” schedules, such as art or music blocks, to ensure it does not interfere with core academic subjects.
“The teachers seem to feel like the students are coming back in a little bit better disposition,” Daughrity said. “So it’s been good all around like that.”
Dodson Branch Principal Brian Lee said he met with the coordinators to address concerns regarding potential indoctrination and the logistics of student transportation. Lee said the use of the nearby community center was a critical factor in making the proposal feasible, as it avoids the need to bus students to a distant church.
Board Member Mark Brown said he wants the board to take a formal vote on the proposal during the May meeting to ensure all legal and insurance bases are covered. Brown said while the policy may already exist, a formal action would provide clarity before the program begins its June enrollment period.
“I don’t want to just say something then all of a sudden well we got a problem,” Brown said. “I think it’s a great thing and I want to see it go.”
Hardy said he will provide a definitive answer from the school attorney at the next meeting.
In other business, the board approved recommendation for multiple faculty members. The board also approved permission to seek bids for air conditioning updates in the stage rooms and a steamer for the high school.