* My comments to the Washington Elementary School Board in response to their decision to not renew the contract with Arizona Christian University for student teachers and students seeking practicum experience. My comments can be found at 2:50:00 mark of video.
My name is Richard Klaus and my wife and I have lived and raised our three children for the past twenty-five years within the boundaries of the Washington Elementary School District. I also served for a time as a pastor of an evangelical church within the borders of the district and under my watch we maintained an active and mutually beneficial relationship with the nearest school. At the core of my being, I am a follower of Jesus Christ within the conservative evangelical tradition of Christianity.
So as a Christ-follower with an intense interest in philosophical reasoning, I am concerned about this board’s decision rendered on February 23rd, 2023, to not renew its partnership with Arizona Christian University in regards to having its students engage in practicums and student teaching.
What is most distressing is the reasoning offered by this board. In particular, the words of the President of the Governing Board struck me as excessively intrusive and discriminatory. In particular, she spoke about a Christian’s “core” beliefs and said:
“I simply don't know how a piece of paper can change somebody's underlying value system. Even though they may not … do anything illegal, where they are preaching or using Bible verses, how do you shut off an essential part of your being, and not be biased to the individuals in which you are in charge of nurturing and supporting unconditionally? I don't see how that disconnect is possible.”
Note the criteria being used here. It is not enough that a potential teacher be:
1. Competent and compassionate—or, added to this…
2. Someone who brings value to the classroom, school, and district—or, again, added to this…
3. Someone who objectively abides by the stated policies and goals of the district as articulated in their written documents.
No. According to the President of this board, the person’s “underlying value system” which is “an essential part of your being” must be changed. If this “core” of the person is deemed ideologically suspect, then, even though they are a nurturing presence and a fount of unconditional love, they must be sanctioned from participation in the educational system.
Consistency of application of this line of thought would seem to require an ideological purge of current teachers and staff who uphold a historically rooted Christian view of sexuality as articulated by Jesus Christ.
Such views expressed by the president of this board—without opposition from any other member—ought to not only be reconsidered but repudiated. Only God himself has the authority to compel a person’s core allegiance.
As an institution committed to the advancement of public education, I would ask you to forsake the politics of exclusion and discrimination and to pursue a more reasoned path which benefits all peoples in this district. Thank you.
___________________________
NOTE:
Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a law suit against the WESD Governing Board on behalf of Arizona Christian University--see HERE for general details.
For the actual lawsuit see HERE. Be sure to check out pages 14-17 for the statements by the WESD Governing Board.
