School Board Positions West Virginia as Intolerant

The recent Harrison County Schools' decision to uphold the display of Jesus' likeness at Bridgeport High School hurts West Virginia’s image. Although I am a Christian myself, I still recognize the significant importance of separating church and state.

Even the Charleston Daily Mail, a traditionally conservative newspaper, acknowledged today that the school system's judgment on this matter was not prudent.

Too many Christians are compelled to force their beliefs on others. Perhaps they feel like less of a disciple if they fail to do so. This is religious arrogance and civil narrow-mindedness. The United States has been defined by its tolerance of differing religious viewpoints.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson’s decision ordering Alabama’s Supreme Court to remove the Ten Commandments from its rotunda is a sensible application of the Constitution's position on church and state. I don’t consider that a liberal decision, I consider it an American decision, which upholds freedom and recognizes diversity.

Unfortunately, a majority of Harrison County school board members feel they must subtly proselytize to students through the image of their savior, and they apparently don’t understand (or care) that there are citizens of the state with different beliefs. This episode reinforces an image of West Virginia as an intolerant state. William Stewart is correct, a judge will probably strike down the school system’s decision. It should never have come to that point.

Metro-Government and West Virginia Identity

In March, after several years of debate, the state Legislature authorized counties and municipalities to form metro-governments, giving them the ability to merge or share services upon voter approval. This option would help governments be more cost-effective and work more efficiently, the thinking goes, and create advantages for attracting federal funds and business development.

Not only has the Legislature signed off on the idea, but some county and local officials have publicly expressed support, such as Kanawha and Marion county commissioners Dave Hardy and Cody Starcher. The first step toward metro-government reality came last week, when Fairmont City Council and the Marion County Commission created a study committee to explore the option.

Several newspapers, including The Charleston Gazette and The Herald-Dispatch, have editorialized their support for allowing voters to decide the matter for themselves. The general public sentiment has yet to reveal itself.

In large part West Virginians identify themselves according to their cities, counties, major employers, and schools. They can be very protective of such, an example being the various controversies surrounding school consolidations in the 1990s. I too still proudly relate with Fraziers Bottom, Putnam County, and Winfield High School.

Today being West Virginia Day, we recognize our inception as a state and entry onto the national stage. But since 1863, West Virginia has often been framed nationally as a state that is slow to change and innovate. Implementing metro-governments, where beneficial, could be a mechanism to remind us of our ability to effect policy, and demonstrate that we aren’t adverse to change.