Sturgeon School Division approved a motion Wednesday that allows for the possibility of prayer in all its public schools, a move some parents said leaves them right back at the start of the whole debate about religion in Sturgeon Heights School.
Five of the seven trustees voted yes to a motion to approve the change in policy regarding the recitation of the Lord's Prayer. The nay voters were trustees Tracy Nowak, who represents Namao-Guthrie schools, and Brent Gray, who represents Redwater-Ochre Park schools.
"The policy does not direct that the Lord's Prayer will be said in a school. It simply allows for the possibility of the prayer if there is a degree of parent interest," Superintendent Dr. Michelle Dick explained.
An audience of 13 parents and grandparents listened to the trustees' debate, with three parents making presentations before the trustees made their decision.
Mike Gaalaas, whose children attend Namao School, explained that he was concerned about overall policy changes regarding religion and how they would affect his own children.
"I don't want something changed that has an effect in our school. As for the Lord's Prayer, what benefit does this have for our children?" he asked.
Luke Fevin, whose children attend Sturgeon Heights, was concerned about the "opt out" part of religious functions, including the recitation of the Lord's Prayer. The fractious debate in the school this fall, along with the opting out solution at the Thanksgiving celebrations in October, caused his family to feel excluded from the school community, he said.
"Why not ask two kids how it felt to be excluded. Ask their mother how she felt to be told she shouldn't be there and that because she was, she was a hypocrite," Fevin said.
But Sandra Shelemey, who lives in Sturgeon County and has two children attending Sturgeon Heights, asked the trustees to approve the recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
Degree of interest
The new policy outlines the procedure to be followed when parents request that the Lord's Prayer be part of a school's opening exercises.
First the principal shall advise the superintendent, who will advise the board of trustees. The board may then direct the principal to ascertain a consensus of parental through surveys and meetings. The principal will determine the degree of interest among parents.
"When and if it comes back to the board we will look at all the alternatives based on the questions asked and when we are assured we have all the information, we will make a decision," said Dick.
The policy also states that Sturgeon School Division believes in religious tolerance and the acknowledgement of religious diversity in its schools. Provision will be given for appropriate expression of religious beliefs.
Outside the meeting parents questioned how the new policy would affect Sturgeon Heights School.
"I think it's likely now that a group of parents will submit a request that the Lord's Prayer be recited and the principal will take it to Dr. Dick and to the board, so we're back where we started," said Fevin.
Derek Green, whose children also attend Sturgeon Heights, said he may reconsider his decision to have his children attend the school.
"How are they going to decide who says the prayer and who doesn't? Will they put a sticker on some kids?" he asked.
But Shelemey asked the collected parents why they wished to come to the school and then change the status quo.
"Having the prayer is part of what makes our school what it is. I don't believe it should be forced upon people who do not want it, but for those of us who do, I believe we should have a right to it for our children," she said.
