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Parents and volunteers praise Children's Bible program at Ringgold Elementary South; volunteers seek expansion
Summary
Multiple volunteers and clergy praised a faith-based Children's Bible program at Ringgold Elementary South, saying it benefited students and asking the district to allow expansion into middle and high schools.
Several volunteers and community members spoke during public comment to thank the Ringgold School District for permitting a Children's Bible program at Ringgold Elementary School South and to urge continuation and expansion.
An unidentified volunteer said the program helped students with reading and character-building activities and thanked the district for allowing volunteers to work with the students: "We do plan on continuing the program again. Just wanna say thank you for, permitting us to work with your students. Thank you very much." The speaker described student skits, role playing and scholarships to summer camps that benefited participants.
Pastor Sean O'Digg of Riverview Baptist Church, which the transcript identifies as "the church just over the hill here on Main Street," said volunteers walked the students from school to the program and that students "looked forward to Thursdays." O'Digg told the board he would like the program "to go into the middle school and the high school as well" as volunteers and capacity allow.
A letter read aloud on behalf of parents Alicia and Giulio de Bernard praised the district for offering the program, saying, in part, "When I found out that Ringgold Elementary School South was offering Bible study plus for students, it truly filled my heart with joy." The letter characterized the program as providing "an outpouring of positive feedback" and said it was a blessing to hear students sing and recite civic pledges in the morning.
Speakers credited school staff and volunteers, including one named in remarks as "Tony" and another as "Millie," with supporting students and helping arrange scholarships. Speakers consistently described the experience as voluntary and supportive. No board action to change policy on religious programming is recorded in the transcript; comments occurred during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
Board members and administrators did not appear on the record to ask for immediate policy changes; speakers asked only for continued access and additional volunteer capacity to expand the program.
