Most say religious group should be allowed to meet

Most say religious group
should be allowed to meet

FARRAH MAFFAI Marilyn Shustak speaks during the Monroe Board of Education’s meeting Jan. 15.

Monroe Board of Ed. stands its ground after listening to residents

By sandi carpello

Staff Writer

Although some believe it crosses the line between church and state, students at Monroe Township High School will be allowed to have their own chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

PHOTOS BY FARRAH MAFFAI Kathy Speranza speaks during to the Monroe Board of Education during its meeting last week.

Nearly 200 residents attended a Jan. 15 Board of Education meeting to discuss the establishment of the high school club and the board’s December vote allowing it to meet during after-school hours. While most voiced support for the organization, some spoke out against it.

Marilyn Shustak, a Concordia resident, said she was against a school club that promotes Christianity over other religions.

"There is a painful feeling about the club," said Shustak, who is Jewish. "To me, having lost two full members of my family in the Holocaust, I find the [name of the club] painful," she said, noting that changing the name to something along the lines of "Bible Club" would be more acceptable.

Jo Aimee Ostrov, president of the South Jersey Chapter of Hadassah, a national women’s Zionist organization encompassing about 1,000 members in the township, said she fears that the FCA, whose mission statement includes "a steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word," is exclusionary to non-Christian students.

Board of Education President Joe Homoki addresses the risk of a lawsuit if the school denies the FCA chapter to meet on school property.

"Two of my kids are involved in sports in public high school. If any of their teammates joined this club, would (my kids) still belong to a team?" she said.

However, many residents said they feel the club promotes tolerance and diversity.

"America was settled by people who wanted to freely practice their religion," said Cathy Speranza, a resident of Pergola Avenue. "We practice different religions side by side, not in conflict. What do I think of a Bible Club that teaches values, respect and love for others? I think it’s a no brainer," she said.

Tom Mancuso, a 30-year Monroe resident who lives on Buckelew Avenue, said that a group of this nature can only have a positive influence on the youth of the community.

Bill Debaun, a student at Monroe Township High School, pointed out to the school board that if one club is denied equal rights, all extracurricular activities must be cancelled, according to the Supreme Court.

"If there is one thing [kids] need, it is a strong religious background," he said. "Why are we beating a dead horse? I would not be opposing it if it was a Jewish group."

The controversial issue rose to the surface after two Monroe Township High School students asked the school board for permission to establish a chapter of the FCA and hold "huddles" at the school for prayer. Currently comprised of nine students, the club has been permitted to meet on school grounds after school. This was approved by the board in a 6-3 vote, with Jay Ellis Brown, Marvin Braverman and Sue Cohen voting against the group’s establishment.

Board of Education President Joe Homoki warned residents that rejecting the group would put the district at risk of a costly lawsuit. He said rejecting the students’ request would be in "direct violation of the Supreme Court."

"After a heavy expense, we would lose," he said.

Homoki cited the Equal Access Act of 1984, a federal law that allows students to organize religious groups in secondary schools. School districts can opt out of the act by not allowing any non-curricular clubs.

Also cited by Homoki was a 2001 U.S. Supreme Court case titled "The Good News Club v. Milford Central School," in which the New York school district was found to be in violation of the First Amendment for excluding the religious group from meeting after school. According to the ruling, any group that promotes the morality and welfare of the students is permissible. The Supreme Court further ruled that there was no reason to treat the club’s use of religion as something other than a viewpoint, merely because of any evangelical message that the club conveyed.

"[The board] is not supporting the organization financially," Homoki said.

The teacher in charge of supervising the group will be "like a prison warden," said Board Attorney Bertram Busch. "The teacher would not be allowed to do anything but watch."

Monroe Township High School sophomore Bill Debaun said he was disheartened by some of the residents’ willingness to put taxpayers’ money toward what he believes is an unnecessary lawsuit.

"The more we debate this issue, the more damage we will do to our community and our school. You cannot appeal the Supreme Court of the United States. We can go into a financially draining and needless lawsuit, and (the school district) can actually lose. The general feeling of this school is that this group can exist," he said.

Upon the completion of the meeting’s public portion, Homoki asked the other board members if anyone had changed their mind on the issue. After no board member indicated a desire to change their vote, Homoki said the club will be allowed to meet as per the board’s original vote.

The group was expected to hold its first meeting today.

There are 127 chapters of the FCA in New Jersey, according to the club’s newsletter.