Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019
Parkway
Religion release program to start
By Tom Stankard
ROCKFORD - Parkway students in grades 5-12 will have the option to take a released-time Bible education program when they return to school this month.
The pilot program will be under the umbrella of Kingdom Harvest Ministries, which helps communities start local programs, pastor Kyle Stoker said.
More than 80 students have signed up so far to take the religious-based extracurricular class, which will be taught at New Horizons Community Church adjacent to the school, Stoker said.
By law, the class can not be taught by district personnel or on school grounds. Five community members and former teachers have volunteered to teach, he said.
Students can take the class one day per week on Tuesdays or Thursdays, he said. They will walk to the class accompanied by volunteers. Stoker said transportation will be provided to and from the building during inclement weather.
No district money will be used to fund the program, Stoker noted. All expenses will be covered by KHM.
The program will not take the place of core classes such as math and science, he said. Like other classes, students will be given homework and tests. However, high school students will not receive any credits while the class is still a pilot program.
"We're going to teach them about biblical morals, values and how to communicate with others," said Ken Meyer, a fellow KHM pastor.
Under the law, released time education is permitted in public schools with parental and student approval, Stoker said.
Parkway school board members have already approved a policy several years ago to allow such programs in their district, superintendent Jeanne Osterfeld said.
"It's a good option for parents and students and has nothing to do with the school district," she said.
Students can sign up online at kingdomharvestministries.org or by filling out and returning a brochure found at churches within the school district, Meyer said.
Celina Board of Education members recently approved a similar pilot program for high school students. Students will attend classes at the former gymnastics center across Wayne Street from the high school.
Celina attorney Travis Faber told Celina board members that Marion Local, Coldwater and St. Henry students attend similar programs, and they are very successful and have a big impact on students' lives.
