News

Administrators begin implementing moment of silence

Posted October 15, 2007 11:00 pm

Jacqueline Koch

Local school administrators have been anything but quiet when discussing the recent passage of the moment of silence bill.

Some said they received little, if any, information about the bill requiring all public schools in Illinois to observe a moment of silence at the beginning of the day. Others said they understand the intent of the bill, but don't think it will be met.

Senate Bill 1463 went into effect Thursday after the Illinois House of Representatives overrode a veto by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. By Monday, many area schools were inserting 10-15 second moments of silence into their daily routines.

Students and teachers at Washington Community High School observed a moment of silence about 10 a.m. before mid-morning announcements. Superintendent James Dunnan said he read students and teachers the legislation because he wanted them to understand its intent.

"I don't think it will be too cumbersome for us," he said. "It just kind of dropped on everybody."

Dunnan said he waited until Monday to implement the moment, hoping he'd receive more guidance on appropriate action.

"No one seems to know what a definition is for a moment of silence in terms of length," he said.

Rohn Peterson, the superintendent of Roanoke-Benson Community Unit School District 60, said he doesn't think the moment of silence will be used for its intended purpose.

"I think our biggest issue is just, at this point, I don't think it's going to be real meaningful," he said. "There was not much feedback asked of schools and whether or not this bill will have the intended effect."

Moments of silence were previously permissible under the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. The new legislation changes wording of the act to mandate them.

Rep. William Davis, D-Homewood, who sponsored the change, told the Journal Star on Monday the bill offers students and teachers a moment to compose themselves before the school day. Whether they silently reflect on upcoming activities, pray or study is at the discretion of each person.

"Whatever the case may be, if given just that brief moment or quiet time, it may very well impact the decisions a young person may make during the day," he said.

Davis stressed that the law isn't meant as a religious exercise nor is there punishment for districts which don't observe it. He also said he doesn't think it cuts into learning time.

"(A) young person may pull out the book and study," he said. "To me, that's furthering the education of a young person."

Don Beard, superintendent of Tremont Community Unit School District 702, said he sees the bill as government interference.

"The bigger issue is the constant meddling and mandating that the government seems to be obsessed with and controlling public schools," he said. "I don't see how that moment of silence is going to enhance anything we're doing."

Tremont schools began observing a 10-second moment of silence Monday morning.

"At least as it stands now, it's not costing us any money," he said.

Ken Maurer, superintendent of Metamora Township High School, instituted the moment of silence Friday. He said last week he wasn't sure how effective the moment of silence would be, though he proposed using it to pray that the state legislature pass the budget implementation act needed, in part, to provide funding for schools.

"We could make that moment useful," he said.

Jacqueline Koch can be reached at (309) 686-3251 or jkoch@pjstar.com.

Article Categories
News