What we think: School Board made right call on renting

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The Jamestown Public School Board made the right decision when it chose to keep its current facility rental policy.

The policy was criticized recently after a local pastor said allowing religious-affiliated groups to rent the facility within school hours was improper.

The policy allows any group to rent JPS facilities so long as the event doesn’t interrupt instruction or promote illegal activity.

Victory Lutheran Brethren Church had sponsored an event called “Jamestown Worldview Conference.” It rented the Jamestown High School Theater on April 9. Students were admitted free to the student-geared program called “Restoring America Through the Next Generation.” The program was held at 1 p.m. that Friday for about an hour while classes were in session. The conference continued Saturday, but was held at Jamestown College. Students needed parent permission to go and the district played no role in promoting or organizing the event.

Some Jamestown residents say the rental was inappropriate and a violation of the concept separation of church and state. Religious-affiliated groups don’t belong in schools during class time, they said, and should rent another building or hold the event after school.

Others defend the rental, saying it’s that group’s First Amendment right. Plus students needed permission from their parents to attend. The school did not hand out permission forms nor did it post flyers in the halls or classrooms.

On one side, religious involvement in public schools is not appropriate. On the other, the school had little to do with the presentation aside from providing a space for it. Victory Lutheran Church organized it, publicized it and paid for it. To limit religious functions during the day means Jamestown Public Schools should limit all rentals during the school day, according to the North Dakota School Board Association. That means the school would have to deny secular speakers and activities like athletic meets or arts presentations. However, organizations could host those meets and tournaments at other facilities in town.

The issue of religious education in schools is a continuing one and expressing concern is fair. But removing all events because of a few religious or otherwise affiliated events limits education as a whole. If schools don’t allow religious groups, then no other groups can rent the facility either.

The board made the right choice.

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board)

Tags: what we think, school board, opinion, editorials, renting, jamestown