Bible study class needs more money in Hamilton Co., group says
Doug Stromberg, president of the Public School Bible Study Committee, said four schools have asked to add a social studies elective to study the Bible next year. And two of the 16 middle and high schools offering the class have requested a second teacher.
The requests for more teachers suggest between 1,480 and 1,500 students would enroll if classes were available, Stromberg said.
More than 3,000 students in 15 Hamilton County schools studied the Bible as a social studies elective this year.
“We could offer more classes,” he said. “We just don’t have the money.”
Stromberg said Bible courses have been available in Hamilton County Schools since 1922. County schools dropped the classes in elementary schools after a 1980 federal court ruling but made them available as electives to middle and high school students, Stromberg said.
“The classes have withstood court challenges,” he said.
Stromberg said the Public School Bible Study Committee raised $795,000 to pay 13 teacher salaries and benefits and provide training. The group hopes to raise more money to add more teachers, he said.
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Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com