By ALICIA LEONARD
The Walton County School Board (WCSB) had a varied agenda before them when they started off the Oct. 6, 2015 regularly scheduled board meeting. Soon, one issue, over complaints from a parent about curriculum, stood out more than most other housekeeping items on the agenda.
After approving the agenda before them as well as adopting the prior meeting’s minutes, board chair Gail Smith called for public comments.
Brad Stafford, a parent of a student at Walton High School approached the board and said, “My question this afternoon is the curriculum my daughter was handed out. She brought home to the house, in my opinion is not appropriate material for her to learn. It was of the Muslim faith, and we are Christian people and I do not approve of my daughter learning this material in her history class…In my opinion it’s a pagan religion of a God that does not exist. I do not want my daughter learning this. I do not want her having anything to do with this. There are also other religions in that book…What I don’t understand is why Walton County is allowing this type of curriculum to be taught to my child. Or other children for that matter. I don’t believe it’s right and I don’t want my child to learn it.’
Stafford continued to address the board in a calm manner while holding a bible. “I’m not here to stomp my feet or cause trouble. I’m not that kind of man. I respect each and every one of you and I know you have a hard job to do. You have to put up with parents calling all the time about different things. But this is my faith and this is what I believe in. Christ died on the cross for our sins, and the one and only true God, Jehovah. The Muslim faith is being pushed on our country and our county by Washington and what the educators up there want us to start teaching our children. The bible says..in Mark that Jesus said whoever hurts a child it would be better for him to be hung by a millstone..and cast into the sea. To me, teaching children this type of education in the classroom, when it comes to religion…besides holding out our own faith and beliefs, when it’s not OK to pray in school, and other things they’re not allowed to do as far as their religion. When it’s held up and they’re teaching other stuff in history class about that kind of curriculum, then why is there a double standard, is what I’m asking?”
Smith thanked Stafford for his comments and asked District Superintendent Carlene Anderson if she wanted to address Stafford’s concerns.
Anderson responded that she and Stafford had known each other for “a very long time.” Anderson continued, saying she had received a call that her secretary took that morning that possibly concerns the same issue, while [Anderson] was in a meeting. “We could not return it because they didn’t give their name or number, but we did have another call that we referred to the curriculum department. I don’t know what the assignment was, what text it came in, but we are looking into where it is and what it is and alternative assignments possible through our process. And we will get back with you.” Anderson requested a contact number for Stafford and a day the two could have a meeting and discuss the issue in person.
Anderson told Stafford, “I’d love to have a time I could sit down and talk to you. We keep hearing children can’t pray and they can’t do this or that. Actually, through, with the Constitution and First Amendment rights…it’s just the religious neutrality that employees have to maintain. I’d like to meet with you and share with you what our training manual looks like for our principals, because some people are very misled to think that our children don’t have rights and they certainly do. Not because we give them the rights, or this board gives them the rights, but the Constitution of the United States gives them those rights.”
Stafford and Anderson agreed to meet in person and discuss the issue further. Stafford also showed the board an assignment for a Texas school about Islamic beliefs and practices. “This is unacceptable to me, even in that school district. Why are they teaching their kids about Islamic law and the Koran? This stuff right here does not need to be on our classrooms, and if it ever comes to Walton County, I’ll be homeschooling my child,” Stafford said in conclusion before leaving the podium.
Board member Jason Catalano told Stafford he appreciated him taking the time to come and discuss his concerns with the board, and he wished more parents were open to coming to board meetings and expressing any concerns they might have as well on any subject. Other board members agreed they were appreciative of involved parents communicating with the board when they had concerns, questions or issues.
The next meeting for the WCSB is scheduled for Oct. 20, starting with a workshop at 4 p.m. about school growth trends, and the regular board meeting at 5 p.m. Both will be held at South Walton High School in the media room.
To see more about the district and school events and news, go to www.walton.k12.fl.us.
The Walton County School Board (WCSB) had a varied agenda before them when they started off the Oct. 6, 2015 regularly scheduled board meeting. Soon, one issue, over complaints from a parent about curriculum, stood out more than most other housekeeping items on the agenda.
After approving the agenda before them as well as adopting the prior meeting’s minutes, board chair Gail Smith called for public comments.
Brad Stafford, a parent of a student at Walton High School approached the board and said, “My question this afternoon is the curriculum my daughter was handed out. She brought home to the house, in my opinion is not appropriate material for her to learn. It was of the Muslim faith, and we are Christian people and I do not approve of my daughter learning this material in her history class…In my opinion it’s a pagan religion of a God that does not exist. I do not want my daughter learning this. I do not want her having anything to do with this. There are also other religions in that book…What I don’t understand is why Walton County is allowing this type of curriculum to be taught to my child. Or other children for that matter. I don’t believe it’s right and I don’t want my child to learn it.’
Stafford continued to address the board in a calm manner while holding a bible. “I’m not here to stomp my feet or cause trouble. I’m not that kind of man. I respect each and every one of you and I know you have a hard job to do. You have to put up with parents calling all the time about different things. But this is my faith and this is what I believe in. Christ died on the cross for our sins, and the one and only true God, Jehovah. The Muslim faith is being pushed on our country and our county by Washington and what the educators up there want us to start teaching our children. The bible says..in Mark that Jesus said whoever hurts a child it would be better for him to be hung by a millstone..and cast into the sea. To me, teaching children this type of education in the classroom, when it comes to religion…besides holding out our own faith and beliefs, when it’s not OK to pray in school, and other things they’re not allowed to do as far as their religion. When it’s held up and they’re teaching other stuff in history class about that kind of curriculum, then why is there a double standard, is what I’m asking?”
Smith thanked Stafford for his comments and asked District Superintendent Carlene Anderson if she wanted to address Stafford’s concerns.
Anderson responded that she and Stafford had known each other for “a very long time.” Anderson continued, saying she had received a call that her secretary took that morning that possibly concerns the same issue, while [Anderson] was in a meeting. “We could not return it because they didn’t give their name or number, but we did have another call that we referred to the curriculum department. I don’t know what the assignment was, what text it came in, but we are looking into where it is and what it is and alternative assignments possible through our process. And we will get back with you.” Anderson requested a contact number for Stafford and a day the two could have a meeting and discuss the issue in person.
Anderson told Stafford, “I’d love to have a time I could sit down and talk to you. We keep hearing children can’t pray and they can’t do this or that. Actually, through, with the Constitution and First Amendment rights…it’s just the religious neutrality that employees have to maintain. I’d like to meet with you and share with you what our training manual looks like for our principals, because some people are very misled to think that our children don’t have rights and they certainly do. Not because we give them the rights, or this board gives them the rights, but the Constitution of the United States gives them those rights.”
Stafford and Anderson agreed to meet in person and discuss the issue further. Stafford also showed the board an assignment for a Texas school about Islamic beliefs and practices. “This is unacceptable to me, even in that school district. Why are they teaching their kids about Islamic law and the Koran? This stuff right here does not need to be on our classrooms, and if it ever comes to Walton County, I’ll be homeschooling my child,” Stafford said in conclusion before leaving the podium.
Board member Jason Catalano told Stafford he appreciated him taking the time to come and discuss his concerns with the board, and he wished more parents were open to coming to board meetings and expressing any concerns they might have as well on any subject. Other board members agreed they were appreciative of involved parents communicating with the board when they had concerns, questions or issues.
The next meeting for the WCSB is scheduled for Oct. 20, starting with a workshop at 4 p.m. about school growth trends, and the regular board meeting at 5 p.m. Both will be held at South Walton High School in the media room.
To see more about the district and school events and news, go to www.walton.k12.fl.us.