Bible in the Schools Presents $2.3M Community Gift to Hamilton County Schools
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 7, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Bible in the Schools, a longstanding Chattanooga organization committed to advancing Bible education for students in Hamilton County public schools, proudly announced today the delivery of a significant community contribution of $2,327,921 to Hamilton County Schools. This generous donation serves to reimburse the entire cost of the countywide elective Bible program in Hamilton County. The community gift presentation took place on July 30, 2024, and marked the 102nd year of the organization's unwavering dedication to providing public school students with optional access to a Bible education.
Mrs. Cathy Scott, President of Bible in the Schools, together with Mr. Rob Huffaker, Chairman of the Board of Bible in the Schools, had the honor of presenting this remarkable gift on behalf of the organization. The check was received by Hamilton County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Justin Robertson, during a special ceremony held at the Hamilton County Schools Central Office. Mrs. Scott, who is in her ninth year as President of Bible in the Schools said, “It is an honor to give this gift from the community through Bible in the Schools, an organization that has stood true to its mission for 102 years. Thank you to all who have donated to this Bible program that enriches the education of modern day students and provides them with ancient wisdom, knowledge, and insights that encourage responsible citizenship.” The elective Bible program, made possible through the collaboration between Bible in the Schools and Hamilton County Schools, offers students an opportunity to engage with the Bible's teachings in an academic setting. The program emphasizes critical thinking skills and encourages students to explore the historical, literary, and cultural aspects of the Bible, fostering a deeper understanding of its influence on society.
Expressing gratitude to the school district’s oldest community partner, Dr. Robertson stated, "We are sincerely grateful to Bible in the Schools for their continuing support of Hamilton County Schools and our students. The Bible in the Schools program enhances our curriculum by providing students with an optional course that includes unique educational experiences, encourages intellectual growth, and promotes cultural understanding. This generous contribution will allow us to further invest in opportunity by design for our students as part of our work to see all children thrive and experience a future without limits.”
The $2.3 million gift from Bible in the Schools serves as a testament to the organization's ongoing dedication to investing in the educational experience of students in Hamilton County. The funds will support the continued success and expansion of the elective Bible program, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to engage with biblical teachings in an academic and intellectually stimulating environment. With the planned addition of a Bible elective at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences this fall, 33 public middle and high schools in Hamilton County will offer elective Bible courses for the 2024-2025 academic year.
About Bible in the Schools:
Established in 1922, Bible in the Schools is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among public school students in Hamilton County. Bible classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling, which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit elective Bible classes in Hamilton County's public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. All Bible courses align with the Tennessee Department of Education's state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district electively studying the Bible at school. Through dedicated community generosity, Bible in the Schools fully funds Bible education in 15 Hamilton County ZIP codes. Approximately 5,300 students in grades 6-12 completed a Bible course during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Bible in the Schools is pleased to introduce its new website, offering more information at bibleintheschools.com.
Pictured L-R: Mr. Blake Freeman, HCS Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Sonia Stewart, HCS Deputy Superintendent; Dr. Justin Robertson, HCS Superintendent; Mr. Rob Huffaker, Bible in the Schools Board Chairman; Mrs. Cathy Scott, Bible in the Schools President
Photo Credit: Adison Lambert, Hamilton County Schools
Source: Bible in the Schools