Newspaper
Over the summer, Governor Ronnie Musgrove signed House Bill 51, making it mandatory for school in districts to post "In God We Trust" signs.
House Bill 51 also states that students age 13 and oder will be expelled after being disruptive three times in a school year.
Despite threats of lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, Musgrove signed the bill.
Musgrove said, "I think it's important for our young people to hear and to understand that America is a nation that believes in God and depends on God, and we do so strongly, we put it on our money."
Ocean Springs High School Principal Robert Hirsch's opinion on the issue is, "In God We Trust is on every dollar bill I spend. I am not offended by it. On the other hand, there are people in this country that are offended because they have to look at it."
Hirsch also said that the new discipline procedure does not change much for the southern part of the state.
House Bill 51 just requires more paper work because of having to make behavior, put those plans into effect, and document them. "Students are already disciplined well at this school," Hirsch said.
The "In God We Trust" sign is to be displayed on an "appropriately framed background [US Flag] with a minimum dimension of 11 inches by 14 inches," the law states. Legislators have provided funding for the posters or plaques.
Proponents of the new bill say it will help instill discipline in the classroom and provide a uniform statewide law. The Mississippi American Federation of Teachers has endorsed the School Safety Act.
State School Superintendent, Richard Thompson said he has heard little concern from the school districts about the bill. The Department of Education has researched similar laws in other states in case question arise on posting the slogan.
Thompson said, "It looks to me like based on other places across the country there appears to be some precedent that allows this stand."
Under the new law, teachers also have the option to request justification from the principal for returning a student to the classroom after that student had been dismissed. This allows teachers to have more control over the disciple of the student.
A major supporter of the school safety bill, Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, said she's please it has become law. "This is going to provide a safe learning environment for the students and a safe teaching environment for the teachers," she said.
Musgrove said he had some concerns about the bill as it relates to learning disabled students, but that it can be addressed next year if necessary. He said the overall intentions of the bill outweighed those concerns.
It seems the "In God We Trust" signs are here to stay.
--Is anyone else concerned by this. It appeared in the school newspaper today. Yeah, I know. Let's go over it paragraph by paragraph shall we, then you might have a better idea about why I see things wrong with it.
1.) This can't be legal.
2.) not too big of a problem, I can deal with that.
3.) I'll have to look up this American Civil Liberties Union.
4.) Not everyone believes in God you asshole. This country was made for god fearing Christians, it was made for everyone. You're taking away the pride that others have in their religion. You're stupid, inconsiderate and immoral.
5.) I can't believe our principal is actually supporting this bill.
6.-7.) Well that's nice, so why do we have it?
8.) No, No, No.
9.) I don't understand how the God part will make people obey this law.
10.) asshole.
11.) Asshole.
12.) This is good.
13.) Still don't see how God is going to make the learning environment better. Hell, these people talk too much to learn anything. They should say "In God We Find a Punisher of Talkers".
14.) You're not going to address it, you don't care about anyone except for those who are "normal" good little Christians. As far as you're concerned, "learning disabled students" are nothing. Or maybe they are and only the non-Christians are nothing.
15.) We'll see.