In a move compliant with a recent state budget law, the Wake County school board has approved a policy allowing students to be excused from school for up to one hour each week for religious education. This decision aligns with efforts by LifeWise Academy, a Christian organization advocating for similar initiatives across various states. The organization aims to work with local churches in Wake County to provide Bible study sessions for students outside school premises, as indicated on their website.
The board decided on the minimum permissible excused time under the law, clarifying that the one-hour limit includes any travel time. Board member Sam Hershey emphasized this detail, explaining, “That is for clarity, so we don’t want anyone to interpret this as they can drive 15 minutes somewhere, have that one hour, and then drive 15 minutes back, and that’s okay.”
Some parents have voiced concerns, demanding background checks for those involved in the religious programs. However, district staff clarified that while WCPSS does not require checks for individuals specified by parents to collect their children, volunteers in schools undergo background verification.
Despite voting in favor, board member Lynn Edmonds criticized the legislation, stating, “Our charge is to educate students, and we cannot do that if students are not in school.” She added that allowing students to miss school for religious instruction contradicts ongoing efforts to address absenteeism. Jennifer Job, the only board member opposing the policy, argued it violates the U.S. Constitution and the district’s mission.
New Procedure for Book Challenges
Additionally, the Wake County school board has adopted a new policy for addressing book challenges, in response to the requirements set forth by the state budget. This policy allows any county resident to file a challenge, verified through ID or mail. A 12-member committee of educators, parents, and principals will review these challenges weekly, ensuring a hearing and response within four weeks.
Lynn Edmonds expressed concern over the time educators must now dedicate to these challenges, saying, “The directives in this state mandate require a lot of extra time of educators to respond to the whims of random critics, not just parents or guardians of students.” Board member Cheryl Caulfield voted against the policy, seeking more flexibility in identifying challenged books and questioning whether all library books should be included. District staff noted that this policy excludes library books unless used for instruction, though parents can restrict their child’s access to specific library books.
Staffing and Compensation in Wake Schools
The Wake school board’s budget and finance committee reviewed findings from third-party studies on staffing and compensation. An organizational study revealed understaffing in several departments, including transportation and special education. “I mean, this should open some eyes, for hopefully not just for our residents of Wake County, but the state as well,” commented committee member Sam Hershey.
Furthermore, a compensation study highlighted the district’s struggle to offer competitive salaries for certain roles, such as mechanics and school principals. The study, conducted by MGT, LLC, compared Wake County Public Schools to other districts, county government roles, and data from Salary.com.
