Current Issues
Lake schools to keep ‘God’ out of mission statement
March 17, 2010

Lord, open the eyes of the nation as to the need for You in every aspect of society.

LAKE TWP.: The Lake Local Board of Education will continue to leave ”belief in God” out of the district’s mission statement, much to the disappointment of a group of Lake Township residents who crowded into the board’s meeting Monday night.

At its meeting Dec. 14, the board decided to temporarily remove the statement from the mission statement after the Freedom from Religion Foundation of Wisconsin threatened to sue the board to have the statement removed.

Although the issue was not on Monday’s agenda, people used the public speaking portion of the meeting to voice their disapproval over changing the mission statement.

Anita Troyer told the board its decision ”does not reflect the heartbeat of the community.”

The Rev. Jack Coontz asked the board to ”stand up for our beliefs.”

”The world today tries to take God out of everything,” he said.

Many audience members said they resented being bullied by the group from Wisconsin and asked board members to take a stand.

Nancy Dollard of North Canton was the only person who spoke in favor of removing God from all school statements.

”I am an atheist, and am raising my children to also be atheists,” Dollard said. She also requested that God not be mentioned in school announcements.

Superintendent Jeff Wendorf had issued a statement Friday saying the ”board will not be taking further action on this matter,” meaning the Dec. 14 decision would continue.

LAKE TWP.: The Lake Local Board of Education will continue to leave ”belief in God” out of the district’s mission statement, much to the disappointment of a group of Lake Township residents who crowded into the board’s meeting Monday night.

At its meeting Dec. 14, the board decided to temporarily remove the statement from the mission statement after the Freedom from Religion Foundation of Wisconsin threatened to sue the board to have the statement removed.

Although the issue was not on Monday’s agenda, people used the public speaking portion of the meeting to voice their disapproval over changing the mission statement.

Anita Troyer told the board its decision ”does not reflect the heartbeat of the community.”

The Rev. Jack Coontz asked the board to ”stand up for our beliefs.”

”The world today tries to take God out of everything,” he said.

Many audience members said they resented being bullied by the group from Wisconsin and asked board members to take a stand.

Nancy Dollard of North Canton was the only person who spoke in favor of removing God from all school statements.

”I am an atheist, and am raising my children to also be atheists,” Dollard said. She also requested that God not be mentioned in school announcements.

Superintendent Jeff Wendorf had issued a statement Friday saying the ”board will not be taking further action on this matter,” meaning the Dec. 14 decision would continue.

http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/87805397.html