WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Ellettsville community members are still discussing a prayer request made by Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation Supertintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders.
The newly-hired superintendent sent a letter in December to around 20 Ellettsville area churches, asking them for prayers and support for both himself personally, and the students and staff of the RBB school district. Sanders’ letter also stated “God will bless RBBSC with a strong partnership between school and home.” He has since said the letter was meant to be a marketing tool.
The RBB superintendent’s letter drew criticism, with some saying it violated the principle of separating church and state. RBB School Board President Dana Kerr issued a statement in response, saying Sanders’ letter was a personal request that should not have been sent on RBB letterhead. In his statement, Kerr said “RBBCSC is a public school corporation and we are neutral with respect to religion.”
In their February 18th meeting, the RBB School Board heard both complaints and support from community members about Sanders’ decision to send the letter. Police officer Todd Durnil applauded Sanders actions. Durnil and his wife are Edgewood High School graduates, and have two children currently in the RBB school system. Durnil acknowledged RBB has lost students to a local faith based charter school. “If I come into the community and I see the superintendent has sent letter asking for prayer, I’m going to feel a lot more comfortable going to that school, as a Christian,” he said.
Another resident, Karen Wilkie said it may have been within Sanders’ right to make a personal request for prayers, but it shouldn’t have been made on the school systems’ letterhead. “That makes it sound like the entire school is requesting your prayers…I did not ask for prayers,” she said. “Not all families in the corporation want religion in their home or in their school.”
Area resident John Samples said he stands behind the superintendent, because most of the Ellettsville community is Christian. “Why wouldn’t you reach out to them if you’re wanting to bring kids back from the schools that are faith based? Would you slight them?” Samples said. “Would you like to see more bleeding from the schools from anti-Christian bigotry in a community that is Christian based?”
Area resident Carol Wilson said she is troubled by the idea Sanders meant the letter to serve a marketing purpose. She said the content of the letter asking for prayer did not have anything to do with selling RBB schools to the parents of prospective students.
Wilson asked Superintendent Sanders whether his letter went to other faith communities in the area. Sanders responded that administrators had conducted a Google search of the churches in Richland and Bean Blossom townships to compile a list of recipients. He noted that there are no synagogues in the RBB school district.
Pamela Davidson, an attorney whose three children graduated from RBB schools, said she understood Sanders sent the letter with the best of intentions, but called it “grossly inappropriate.” Davidson said she has long observed a Christian bias in the school system, and indicated the school board’s response to Sanders’ letter was lacking. She asked the RBB school board to revisit the issue. The RBB school board did not address any of the public comments made during the meeting.
