Bible in the Schools, a nonprofit that funds Bible education courses in Hamilton County Schools, held its annual luncheon Monday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, where officials announced plans to create a $7 million endowment fund and expand programs.
"An endowment will help Bible in the Schools navigate an increasingly uncertain world," Bible in the Schools Endowment Campaign Chairman Ralph Mohney said to more than 700 attendees Monday. "Professional fundraising consultants were engaged to conduct a feasibility study, and that feasibility study revealed that an endowment campaign would be well received by our donors, and the goal of $7 million of cash and estate gifts was established."
Mohney said $5 million had already been raised and $2 million more was needed.
Bible in the Schools' mission is "to advance Bible education for students in Hamilton County public schools," according to its website.
The program is offered in 32 middle and high schools and serves roughly 5,400 students. This year, private donors gave around $2 million for the program. The organization reimburses the school district each year for operating the program.
In the past year, Bible in the Schools has added two new programs, at the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts and the Hamilton County Virtual School. It has also expanded four part-time programs to full-time programs and added a dual credit Old Testament course with Chattanooga State Community College.
With the added courses, officials said next school year's budget will be around $3.8 million.
"As we ponder the priorities of the current day, we have to ask ourselves if there's any responsibility more important than giving the next generation the opportunity to learn and grow from the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible," President Cathy Scott said Monday. "Today's an important day and chance to be part of something really big and really significant. It's something that makes Chattanooga distinctive and something that is making our schools and community and world a better place."
Hamilton County Schools Executive Director of Learning Blake Freeman said the collaboration with Bible in the Schools aligns with the goals of the district's strategic plan.
"We believe that every family, every partner, every mentor and advocate will be connected and empowered in their critical role and supporting our students to become life ready," Freeman said. "Your attendance today exemplifies the commitment needed to see our students succeed."
In October, school officials called for an annual review of the program's curriculum after a hearing some concerns that it was being used for religious indoctrination.
"I know that there have been a few different instances in our recent past regarding slight misdoings of the class in general," school board member Ben Connor, D-Chattanooga, said at an October board meeting. "First, (it's) not being aimed at literacy. Second, some people have brought up in different ways that it's more of an indoctrination instead of what's meant to be."
Superintendent Justin Robertson said in October he hoped to form a review committee that included individuals with different faith backgrounds.
Bible in the Schools officials said the courses are kept strictly to a historical context.
"I believe the Bible is an exhilarating text," Signal Mountain Middle/High School Bible teacher Kendall Harrison told the audience Monday. "The Bible is an action-packed piece of literature, and I like to compare it to a roller coaster for my students...I try to help my students see that the Bible is a document that expands upon. It is a document that is helping us wrestle with the human condition. We are all on a roller coaster in life. No one escapes this roller coaster."
Brown Middle School Bible teacher Brittany Hall said she helps students understand what the Bible says.
"I've actually found in the last two years, a lot of our students just don't have any understanding of the Bible, they have never read it," Hall told the audience. "Or they have been told a very twisted or distorted version of what the verses in the Bible say and what the text says. And they may have this twisted distorted view that that might have an agenda or might be taken out of context to serve a different purpose."
Bible in the Schools celebrated its 100th year in 2022. The group says all donated funds support teachers' salaries, benefits, classroom supplies and the purchase of Bibles.
Contact Carmen Nesbitt at cnesbitt@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327.