INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana lawmakers have rolled back a proposal that aimed to require a poster with the national motto “In God We Trust” and the American and state flags be displayed in all public school classrooms.
The Indiana Senate education committee modified the bill to make the poster optional before voting Wednesday to advance it to the full Senate for consideration.
The bill originally required the posters to be at least 11 inches by 17 inches, with the letters of “In God We Trust” a minimum of 4 inches tall. Republican Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn said he sponsored the proposal because he believed the national motto is important and all students should see it each day in their classrooms.
State law already protects any school which decides to post the motto.
Opponents of Kruse’s proposal said requiring the display of the motto violated the principle of separation of church and state.
A school officials association had suggested if the poster was required that the state should pay for printing and distributing them to schools rather than leaving it to nearly 300 school districts to prepare them on their own.
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Our lawmakers finally do something good for the students of Indiana and then they back slide. In the past 3 decades, the family unit has declined in many areas, especially in highly populated area. As now a retired and former public teacher in both the affluent schools and the “free and reduced lunch” schools, those students need to see something they can visually remember and fall back on in times of need. “In God We Trust” is everywhere in our government – state house, currency, etc. Why shouldn’t it be where it can be seen as an important message. Even if it is only on the side wall of the classroom. This might save at least one student from doing wrong, at least think before doing bad. Our country was founded and built on this statement. Don’t let a few complainers ruin the opportunity for the many to experience something positive. In my classroom, I had one rule: “Do the Right Thing” It was amazing the control they placed on each other. They learned how to do “The Right Thing” when actions were in question. Some students even wrote it down on the inside page of their notebooks as their reminder. I am sure they will carry that simple thought with them for the rest of their lives. Please be concerned what is best for the students and stop worrying about a few complainers that have become a “squeaky wheel.” Don’t forget to take care of the other wheels.
Several years ago a small business I frequented had a sign posted near their cash register, “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”. I enjoyed it’s meaning.