Mary M. Reeves

mmreeves@dnj.com

MURFREESBORO — Students at Blackman High School who have been meeting for a 15-minute Bible study class will now have to pay $15 per day to do so.

Several of the students, their parents, and the volunteers who lead the “Blackman Seminary” group attended the Rutherford County Board of Education meeting Thursday night to request a waiver to a policy passed earlier this year that requires a usage fee when a classroom is being used for non-school activities.

“I’ve been a teacher there for three years,” Pat Ellsworth said. “The students have been there six years. We don’t receive any money from these students. We are not paid. We don’t have any money to give out – it’s all voluntary.”

He was among several adults who spoke to the board members to request the waiver. Cole Eisenberger, another volunteer who teaches at the meetings, said the classes are important for the students.

“I’m inspired by them. They have the desire to be better people,” he said. “Which is why they are attending this class.”

The classes, he said, also help them prepare for mission trips and other educational and spiritual opportunities. Attending the classes means they have to get up earlier than most teens, and have to be at school well before classes begin, Eisenberger said.

“The sacrifices they make show how much it means to them,” he said.

Kevin Burton, bishop for the Blackman Ward congregation of Latter Day Saints, told the board he appreciates the six years Blackman has allowed the group to meet there and he hoped the board could waive the fee and allow them to continue.

Angel McCloud, staff attorney for the Rutherford County School district, said the group did not meet the qualifications required for a waiver.

The RCS policy book states that "unless exempted from fees as provided in this policy or by state law, any group or entity desiring to use a school facility shall be required to pay the school system for the use of the facilities in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by the Board of Education."

To be exempted from the room fee, the policy states that “student clubs and activities of a Rutherford County school, a parent-teacher association of a Rutherford County school, organizations affiliated with a Rutherford County school, and governmental entities of Rutherford County shall be permitted use of school facilities without charge.”

Board Chair Wayne Blair said forming a club could be a possible option for the “Blackman Seminary,” but the attorneys would have to look into the legal ramifications because it is a religious group.

For now, the group no longer meets at the school.

“We’re meeting at someone’s house,” said Levi Burton, the bishop’s 17-year-old son. “And that’s what we’re going to do.” is meeting at a member’s house.

“They volunteered their house,” Tyler Johnston, 14, said. “But we feel like we’re in the way.”

“It should be a joyful thing,” Lillian Taylor, another student, said.

Ashley Johnston, 16, was disappointed when the waiver wasn’t granted. She said before she used to do her Bible study online, and it wasn’t the same as meeting with her friends at school.

“I just learn better when we actually have real classes than when I’m by myself,” she said.

Although the group is comprised of LDS students, she said anyone who wants to attend is more than welcome.

Both Blair and board member Lisa Moore expressed their regrets that they were unable to waive the fee.

Blair said there is no policy against students praying at school at all, but it is an issue of using a classroom.

“Policy is policy,” Blair said.

You can reach Mary at 615-278-5109. You can follow her on Twitter @MaryReevesDNJ.