Here is the story from the Janesville Gazette as well as two letters-to-the-editor, and my response. (I don't know if my response was ever published.)

- John

(Published Thursday, February 1, 2007 10:53:57 AM CST - Copyright 2007 Janesville Gazette)

By Carla McCann
Gazette Staff

After meeting Monday, five area school district superintendents say they decided independently to cancel school assemblies featuring a group of ordained ministers.

The Power Team, which was hired to perform in March at Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Palmyra-Eagle and Whitewater school districts, uses feats of strength to encourage students to resist using drugs and alcohol.

"Initially, we believed that with clearly understood parameters the assemblies would not involve any discussion of religion," said Peg Ekedahl, superintendent of the Milton School District.

But after further study, Ekedahl decided not to risk any appearance of violating the separation of church and state, and she cancelled the group's performances at both the middle and high schools, Ekedahl said.

It was a similar story in the Whitewater School District.

"We believe the assembly itself had good things to offer, but we already have other programs in place that address those issues," Whitewater Superintendent Leslie Steinhaus said.

Steinhaus and Ekedahl didn't say what prompted the Monday meeting, which included school district attorneys, but The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the districts took action after a community member e-mailed the school districts and raised questions at a Jefferson School Board meeting.

Jefferson resident John Foust told the Journal Sentinel he contacted district administrators about the Power Team after noticing a brief item about the group in a local newspaper's society column.

On the Power Team's Web site, one of its members is billed as the human cannonball "for running full speed and diving head first into a wall of ice 9 feet thick."

"Cannonball's" credentials also include being able to rip two decks of cards in half as well as being able to bend a crescent wrench into the shape of a U.

The Web site bills the Texas-based performing ministers as having the power to help two or three out of every 10 people accept Jesus.

Although Mike Wilding, an events manager for the Power Team, told the Journal Sentinel that the group takes care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools, neither the Whitewater nor Milton school districts wanted any misunderstandings centered around the assemblies.

The team had been scheduled to perform at 13 assemblies in the five districts before being cancelled, despite their assurances that Christian beliefs would not be mentioned during the shows.

"We had to weigh what is appropriate for the community," Steinhaus said.

Schools discriminate against Christians

(Published Tuesday, February 6, 2007 11:32:13 AM CST)

Editor, the Gazette:

I think the five school district superintendents who canceled the Power Team are discriminating against Christians. The Power Team said they take care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools.

One superintendent didn't want any "misunderstanding." How far do we push Christians away so there's no "misunderstanding"?

Don't we need all the help we can get to help our teens say "no" to alcohol and drugs?

JANE BIOJO
Janesville

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Gazette story on Page 1B Feb. 1 listed the Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Palmyra-Eagle and Whitewater districts as having canceled the Power Team events.

Does fear control our schools?

(Published Thursday, February 8, 2007 10:49:27 AM CST)

Editor, the Gazette:

I was saddened to read that the Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Palmyra-Eagle and Whitewater school districts cancelled assemblies scheduled for March featuring the Power Team (Page 1B, Thursday). The reason cited by Milton Superintendent Peg Ekedahl was not to risk appearance of violating the separation of church and state.

The Power Team has been in public schools for years, using feats of strength to encourage students to resist drugs and alcohol. They understand the concerns of school districts and assure them that Christian beliefs won't be mentioned during their presentation.

Is something wrong here? Are our school districts being controlled by fear? Do we allow an e-mail from one community member who raises questions about the separation of church and state to influence our educational system?

I believe my voice represents many others who say we need to educate students not only intellectually but morally. It should be a combined effort between home, church and school. What if the name of Christ was mentioned in school? Does the name of Christ have the power to corrupt our young people?

The Power Team takes care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools, but the school districts did not want any misunderstandings centered around the assemblies. I respectfully disagree with their assessment and conclusion. Students and their families deserve better. Religion and politics may be the reason for the cancellations, after all. That's too bad and makes me mad.

PASTOR KURT VERHOEVEN
Living Waters Assembly of God, Elkhorn

My response

I'd like to respond to the February 8 letter from Pastor Kurt Verhoeven.  When I made my complaints, I researched news stories of past Power Team assemblies.

For example, the Pastor claims the Power Team takes care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools.  This is false.  The Power Team has cheerfully conducted assemblies with a religious message, even in public schools that should know better. 

I showed how they promoted even if they promised no religious message.  They invited students to their "crusade" revival meetings, verbally or with literature.  Read more on my web at goJefferson.com.

According to the agenda of the meeting of the superintendents, they cancelled the assemblies to avoid the notion that "the schools were connected with the promotion of a crusade."

The Pastor asks "What if Christ was mentioned?"  It depends on the context.  Teachers can talk about Christ if they are teaching the world's religions.  It would be inappropriate for them to tell students they must be Christians.

We prohibit promotion of religion out of respect for everyone's freedom of belief.  I think everyone would object if a teacher told students they must pray a certain way, hold particular political beliefs, or even shop at a certain store.  We expect staff to teach, not preach. They don't give up those responsibilities when they hold assemblies.

I'm proud of Jeffersons Character Education process, where traditional values are expressed and taught every day - not just in assemblies.

John Foust