Lake Central High School students will be able to drop out during the school day next year and attend a Bible study class at Dyer Church.
Instead of pondering geometry or Spanish, students are bused to Faith Church in Dyer, where they study the Old Testament and, in some cases, learn about the Tower of Babel and Noah’s Ark.
Previously, schools could deny requests from parents to allow their children to go out for religious studies during school hours.
The new law, which takes effect on July 1, requires schools to approve such requests from parents.
The measure is becoming popular in red states such as Indiana. Similar bills were considered this year in Nebraska, Ohio and Oklahoma.
The bill, authored by Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Renssseler), passed the House 92-4 and the Senate 34-14 earlier this year.
Previous state law allowed students to leave their homes for up to 120 minutes a week for voluntary religious instruction. The law allowed instruction to take place during the day as long as it was off school grounds and private transportation was provided.
Lake Central Superintendent Larry Beracco said Monday that he expects some students will choose to participate. If so, he said, he would schedule study hall while they were gone.
“This is the law and we are government-funded so we will abide by it,” he said in an email. Beracco said the district was already in compliance last year when it was voluntary.
The problem Beracco has is timing. He said Lake Central High School will dismiss students at 2:10 p.m.
“It looks like this could be done in the late afternoon or early evening to avoid extra student movement,” Beracco said. “It’s scheduled near the end of the day, and I’m worried that the students will get stuck in traffic and miss the bus home…”
Faith Church proposed holding classes from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. The class is open to students in grades 9-12 and is limited to 60 students.
The new law provides that if a parent of a public school student makes a written request, the principal shall permit the student to attend a school for religious instruction organized by a church, church association, or religious organization. . Directed and incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana.
By law, instructional time is limited to 120 minutes per week. Churches are advised to work with school authorities to minimize disruption to school instruction.
An organization or church that provides religious instruction is required to keep attendance records and allow access to records. This instruction may not be supported by public funds.
If local schools adopt a policy, they may also decide to award credit to students for religious instruction.
At Faith Church, this class will be taught by Justin Sommer, director of student services at Faith Church in Dyer. No one could be reached for comment.
State Sen. Rodney Paul (D-Chesterton), who voted against the bill, argued that in the case of car accidents, fights, missing students, and other accidents, schools cannot request a waiver of liability. He said he had concerns. He said background checks on religious instructors are not required.
“These schools will be put in the unique and unfair position of having to respond to these requests and organize staff to support these programs during school hours,” Pol said. Ta. “This should happen on Sunday, not during class.”
State Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) supported the new law.
“Parents have to request it and think it’s necessary for their child,” Niemeyer said, adding that the time frame would need to be discussed with the school.
He said most of the students who participated appeared to be from religious backgrounds, but it could also be useful for single parents who need spiritual reinforcement for their children.
He said parents wouldn’t want to take their children away from school if they were struggling.
“This is another request from parents,” Niemeyer said. “I don’t think parents would pull their children out of school if it might have a negative impact on their academic performance.”
State Sen. David Vinzant, D-Hobart, also voted against the bill.
“I’m a strong believer in separating schools and religious education. If introducing religion into schools creates an uncomfortable situation for just one child, that’s too many,” he said. .
Vinzant said many schools have a problem with low test scores. “We spend seven hours a day working on schoolwork,” he said, adding that students should not lose time from science, math or English.
Carol Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
