To the editor:

I read with great interest the recent anonymous op-ed regarding Rep. Stoltzfus proposed House Bill 240 which would allow public schools in Ohio to employ chaplains.

The negative tenor of the opinion was clearly reflected in the title and served to communicate to the reader great concern and alarm over the possibility that students in Ohio might actually be exposed to “faith” in public schools.

Lest any of the readers become overly distraught, let me point out some very important facts overlooked (or ignored) in the article.

First of all, Rep. Weinstein said that HB240 would be a “a huge overreach and an infringement on parental rights and student rights.”

I ask, in what way?

The bill language, for those who care to read it, is written in what is commonly known as “permissive language” giving full authority to local schools. “A school…MAY employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students.”

Each school is given full authority to determine if and how they would like the option of a chaplain to work in their school. The bill language itself says, “Each school district or school may establish requirements and procedures as necessary.” Please note: this would also include the option of requiring signed parental permission for a student to access the services of a chaplain, should the school so choose. So much for “huge overreach and infringement…. on parental…and student rights.”

The derogatory remarks by Mr. DiMaura regarding concern over the assumed standards of training and professionalism of chaplains, ignored the fact that the language of the bill also clearly states, “Chaplain services may be offered in addition to, but NOT IN LIEU OF, school counselor services.” In other words, trained school counselors CANNOT be replaced by chaplains.

Surely every reader recognizes that due to a myriad of factors, our students today are facing pressures prior generations did not have to deal with and it is beginning to take a tragic toll. Suicide among young people has become almost epidemic, being the third leading cause of death among adolescents.

With this in mind, it seems to me that having access to a little “faith” might well be in order to help our students navigate their way through a very complicated time in our history and in their own development.

I say let the schools and parents decide. Oh, and God bless America.

Tim Ginter,

Salem