Charter commission reproves Nampa Classical Academy
Nampa Classical Academy board member Erik Makrush, right, speaks with the board’s Acting Chairman Michael Moffett, left, during a meeting with the Idaho Public Charter School Commission, Monday morning in Boise.Greg Kreller/IPT
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Bryan Dooley
bdooley@idahopress.com
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
bdooley@idahopress.com
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
BOISE — The Idaho Public Charter School Commission issued two more notices of defect to Nampa Classical Academy Monday, one for use of religious texts and a second for failure to provide required reports.
The school must present a corrective action plan to the commission within 30 days to clear the new notices. If that doesn't happen, the commission could issue a notice of intent to revoke the school's charter.
Commission members unanimously approved both measures and expressed increasing frustration at the academy's refusal to provide requested information. NCA officials did not respond to a request for a report due Monday at 8 a.m.
"The commission's going to do what they want to do," Nampa Classical Academy board member Erik Makrush replied when asked how far the school's board is willing to press the dispute.
If the school's charter is revoked, the more than 500 students who currently attend NCA would have to transfer elsewhere.
"I'm just appalled that this thing has got so blown out of proportion," Makrush said. He said the charter commission seems to be selectively applying the state constitution and that positive developments at the school have been ignored.
Makrush and Nampa Classical Academy acting board chairman Mike Moffett confirmed multiple times during Monday's meeting that the school intends to go forward with plans to use the Bible and other religious texts in the classroom. (Listen to audio)
When asked directly whether the Bible had been used in the classroom to date, Moffett replied that it had not.
During an exchange with commission member Brad Corkill, Moffett repeatedly asked for clarification of the question to differentiate between use of the Bible or copies directly from the book and use of a state-approved textbook or other source that simply references the Bible.
"We've been accused of a lot of things, so we just want to make sure we're talking about the same things here," Makrush said.
Commission member Gayann DeMourdaunt followed up with a question about materials distributed for a seventh-grade assignment to compare the Codex Hammurabi — a Babylonian system of law — to Mosaic law as laid out in Jewish scripture and the Old Testament of the Bible.
Moffett said the materials used were taken from the Web site of the California Institute for Ancient Studies.
Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Swartz noted specific information pertaining to that assignment had been requested by the commission multiple times and had not been provided. Whether or not the source cited is acceptable for use in a public school would depend on the content, she said.
"You can't just go to a Web site and print out excerpts from the Bible and call it not a religious text," Swartz said.
"We've issued I don't know how many notices of defect so far, and it's becoming apparent to me that Nampa Classical Academy and their legal counsel are showing blatant disregard for the laws of the state of Idaho," Corkill said as the meeting came to a close.
The Alliance Defense Fund brought a lawsuit against the Charter Commission and state officials Sept. 1 in federal court on behalf of the charter school arguing for the school's right to use religious texts as part of its curriculum.
A Wednesday letter from the group addressed to Baysinger threatens to sue the state panel if it continues to seek information regarding the school's possible use of the Bible and other religious texts.
A response from the Idaho Attorney General's Office e-mailed Friday to NCA attorneys said the Charter Commission and Baysinger will not comply with any of the Alliance Defense Fund's demands.
Comments:
“Too many parents at NCA do not see the writing on the wall. My son also completed the assignment in question. On a personal level, it was fascinating. But I was immediately on guard when he brought it home as I thought to myself- I thought they were told NOT to use this kind of material with the Bible directly quoted (so what if it's not a xerox of a page). And they could have put the bibles in storage, not blatantly on the shelf. It seems from the notice of defect that my worries were substantiated. How can a public institution, in a legal battle or not, stand up as an example to children by breaking the law? What would the Moffets do if someone walked on the bark at the school???? Should the children expect to get a pass because they think it's ok? The Charter Commission is the governing authority over NCA- it has a legal obligation to ensure that NCA follows the Idaho State code. Until that code changes, what choice did it have? Why did NCA choose not to work within the system before filing lawsuit??? That perplexes me more than anything. I would ask parents of children at NCA if they have attended a meeting of the Charter Commission? If not, there is audio available- listen to it. The Commission acts professionally in the way in which they carry out their duties with regards to all charter schools. It is a shame that the culture of NCA is trying to smear their good names because of their desire to uphold the charge placed on them by the state of Idaho. It is a shame that current the Board of Directors of NCA consistently misleads the parents into believing that the children cannot get a good classical education without the blatant use of religious text before it is legal. The children have been getting an amazing education. This is NOT the problem, contrary to what the Board of NCA and the Moffets would have you believe. Children will not be behind when they transfer- rather they will likely be ahead and for this reason it is shameful that anyone would put their education in jeopardy. As savenampaclassical said above "Now is the time to stand up for the "Core Values"." I would ask that the parents at NCA stand up for education, but not to the degree that the very school you cherish is shut down. I would ask that parents don't simply read the news stories- there is plenty of documentation to read and it is your duty to educate yourselves rather than blindly follow the Moffets and the NEW NCA Board. There are many reasons good people resigned from the Board...isn't it a bit strange that so many would resign in such a short period? Isn't it telling that they did not want to be considered responsible for these current actions??? Isn't it telling that the current board will back up the Moffets seemingly no matter what? Does the current board understand the liabilities they have as board members? I could go on and on...I have stayed quiet to this point, but I am so disheartened by recent events at NCA I had to speak up as a parent. NCA parent's please wake up from the Moffet induced coma and see the events for what they are and take a stand. Let your voice be heard. Don't let the radical NCA supporters verbal attacks and personal smears dictate your conscience. And above all else, protect your children!
disheartened - 10:14 AM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“Why did the IPCSC grant a charter for NCA knowing full well the intent of the material the school was going to use? GO NCA and ADF, stand firm! State,City,County and Federal agencies need to remember who they work for and it is our money that provides them the jobs they have. They are accountable to us, "We the people" They are only as powerful as we allow them. We need to stand up and be counted and remind them "we the people" are in charge. Don't cave in!
ladyswat - 11:40 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“You hit the nail on the head. The school's plan to use this material WAS NOT IN THE CHARTER. If it was the commission would have not approved it in the first place. Can you say deception???
simply amazed - 3:02 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“Simply Amazed- Care to be amazed, then look at this to see what the commission knew at the beggining of this story. They have back peddled and lied to the public about what they knew of NCAs intent because they were embarrassed. Here is the excerpt from the article and the link to the entire article.
Tamara Baysinger, Public Charter School Commission program manager, says the commission is aware of the school's intentions.
"The Pubic Charter School Commission office has reviewed Nampa Classical Academy's intended use of the Bible and other religious texts and determined it to be appropriate, just as it would be in any other public school," Baysinger said. "The Commission will remain attentive to the issue during oversight visits, regular updates from the school, and via any public comment we receive."
http://www.2news.tv/news/49541062.html
fredomof education - 10:22 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“A a parent of a child who received the assignment in question, the one which compares Hammurabi's Law Code with the Mosaic Law, let me say they did NOT copy the bible and pass it off. They compared specific laws in the Law Code with specific laws in the Mosaic Law, citing the number of which code was being compared to the verse in which the mosaic law was found. They were typed all in the same font side by side on the same paper. It was not in context of a biblical overview, each law was taken out of context and compared to the complimenting law found in Hammurabi's code. The Code was cited first and then in a separate colum the Mosaic Law was cited. What on earth is wrong with that? The Mosaic Law was real, it happened, it governed the Jews in ancient history. Why should my kid be cheated out of that knowledge? They NEVER said that it came from GOD, but that it was the law of that time. Hammaurabi believed he was an agent of the sun God and was giving the laws dictated by his God, Moses believed that he was an agent of Yahweh and gave the laws dictated by his God to his people, what on earth could be offensive about that? Why is is we can talk about Greek mythology, Roman Mythology, Chinese philosophy, Hindu polytheism, and ANY other religion, BUT Christianity? What is up with the total and complete double standard? Why are you all so very worried? Everyone cites the shelf of Bibles on a shelf in the class, but those are books that were purchased BEFORE the commission outlawed them. Should they be thrown away? Would that not be a supreme waste of the taxpayers money? And IF the case is won in court to allow them to again be used, should we just rebuy them with said taxpayers money? Please people, use some common sense and stop being swayed by the inaccurate rendering the media is perpetuating. The Idaho Press Tribune is not the authority on this matter. The Charter Commission continues to make requests that NCA does not have appropriate time to fulfill. The only reason they are getting these notices is to further complicate matters. If the Commission is so intent on our kids getting an adequate education they should stop asking for information and then only providing 2 business days to comply. They are the ones who are compromising our children's excellent education, not the Moffetts.
Andrea - 12:51 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“ITS A PUBLIC SCHOOL, FUNDED BY TAX DOLLARS. Why is that so hard to understand? If you want to do this go to a private school. WOuld you like it iof they were teaching from the Koran? probably not, yet you are concernd with a double standard.
simply amazed - 2:56 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“Simply amazed: It would be great if you checked your facts. Fact: NCA plans to use religious texts (plural), not just the bible. Fact: The charter commission will not define what they consider religious texts. Fact: Included in many regular public school text books for 11th grade American Literature are prayers, sermons, and hymns like the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". It seems to me that would be a more biased indoctrinating text than reading and comparing two sets of laws that people followed in ancient times.
fredomof education - 4:42 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“I would be willing to bet the NCA group knew exactly what the rules of the game where before signing on the dotted line but with a wink said they had no problems with them. If they can't play by the rules, then they should get out of the game.
DarwinRules - 9:55 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“Go here: http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/classical-class/Content?oid=1098884 (copy and paste it in your browser window)
And you'll see that this really is just the natural consequence of the Moffet's plan to remake Idaho's cirriculum in thier image. I would humbly suggest that if the Moffets were truly interested in education instead of validating the Bible then things would be different.
What do I mean by validation? Well, if we can teach that the Biblical timeline IS an accurate historical document--then EVERYTHING in that source book (Bible) is correct, yes?
This is a quagmire and the kids and parents of NCA students are suffering as Moffet & Co attempt to use our tax dollars for thier personal Christian School.
Moffet and Crew: RESIGN. Start your own classical academy WITH PRIVATE DOLLARS. Then I won't care if you teach that the earth is carried on the back of a sea turtle. 'Til you get your hands off OUR money expect us to support OUR state officers as they safeguard it.
NCA parents, this might be a good time to get on the Legacy Charter waiting list...
tired taxpayer - 12:29 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“Did you even read the whole article you suggest we read? Where did you get the idea the academy was going to teach the biblical timeline as THE truth? Wow. The article you posted the link for specifically says there are some books not being used because they are too devotional. There is a huge difference between devotional texts and primary source documents. NCA would use the latter.
fredomof education - 5:05 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“According to their web site, The California Institute of Ancient Studies claims: "...Newsweek just released `Darwin's Rottweiler' by Richard Dawkins, a very misinformed and anti-intellectual defender of Darwinian evolution who are at enmity with God, who have only hoplessness to give. We as Christians defend God as Creator of everything, we have His Word to support us, where as evolution only has the opinions of faulty men. Sadly, they paint a false picture of what God is really like as compared to His opposers...."
speckinspace - 11:37 AM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“Is C.I.A.S. a good source for public school curriculum? Uh.....not so much.
speckinspace - 1:05 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“how can the commission file a notice of defect for using religious text when the school has not used religious text.
Somebody please ask the commission to provide a list of they consider to be "banned" text. IPT - please report on both sides of this issue
darwinism - 9:49 AM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“The Commission has information that portions of the Bible were copied and used in the classroom. The Bible was also on the reading list issued by the school. The school has a shelf lined with the Bible for use and one of the Moffet brothers unequivocally stated that the Bible will be used. You can split hairs all day long, but the facts thus far are that the school has violated the law. Apparently the lawsuit and the use of the Bible are the greatest priority in this charter for those who support the Moffet Brothers. It's a shame that the kids and their education have to take a backseat. Hopefully, when they're forced to enroll in another school later this year, they will be able to catch up to their peers whose teachers and parents supported their education as the first priority.
Satchel - 11:20 AM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“By the way the students at NCA are excelling and won't need to catch up to anything. However,I do not believe this school will be closed.
fredomof education - 10:03 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“Satchel- First of all, the reading list was sugested reading list sent out for the summer prior to the commission's ruling. Second of all, Schools in Boise and Meridian and I assume all over the state have copies of the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Quoran in there libraries paid for by the public funding of schools. Is it not the purpose for a school library to offer a supplement to the education of the students in that school? So what difference does it make if NCA has Bibles in the school? So do others.
fredomof education - 6:00 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“May I direct your attention to "Exhibit A" below. We can refer to this comment as their "true colors". Does this individual have "blatant disregard for the laws of the State of Idaho". If your interested in trying to keep the Academy from having it's charter revoked please email savenampaclassical@yahoo.com. Now is the time to stand up for the "Core Values" you believe in. Which of these traits are represented below? Character, Civility, Discipline, Integrity, Patriotism.
“Please...are you kidding? Save it from what? The dictatorship of the State? That is what they are trying to do. It is because of people like you that is undermining what NCA is fighting for! If you don’t like what they are doing get the hell out of the school and start another one. Otherwise shut up and get out of the way!
NCA Supporter - 6:52 PM, Monday November 23, 2009
savenampaclassical - 12:45 AM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“What a shame All that hard work to start a school ruined by foolish pride. And what is worse is to fiddle while Rome burns. The kids didnt sign up for this. Both Moffits must leave now before they do any more damage
five of eight - 12:38 AM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“Why is this about the Moffetts? Yes they are there, but the BOD both previous and current supported the lawsuit and the curriculum as it was intended from the start. As a parent I never once felt that the Academy was going to teach religion. I knew what the intent was from talking with the founders and staff before my child was ever enrolled. The fight is for the right to choose the curriculum and the right to teach about religion not to teach theology or specific religious docterine as what to believe. It is a look at all sides that influenced a culture to round out a childs' education. Before people go out and continually bad mouth NCA and what they are fighting for, study classical education and what it is. Go to a web site on the Circe institute and look at classical education as described by one of the experts on the subject Andrew Kern. If people understood it they would understand that NCA is not trying to do anything against the law.
fredomof education - 12:07 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“Because it is the Moffetts that continue to flaunt their willingness to break the law. This goes against the core values that exist in their charter and teach the students at NCA. If you truly understand classical education and how it is used today there are examples of it being used without flagrantly breaking the law and playing chicken with their authorizing entity. If this was truly about the children, the Moffetts would be doing everything they could to work it out with the Commission and the state rather than giving them the big middle finger and running to the courts all eager to sue and make a name for themselves rather than working through the system to fix the problem while following the law until it is changed.
Confused - 9:49 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“Confused- Yes you are. The core values as you have reffered to also promote patriotism. This is at times to question the governing body when rights are being violated. NCA has tried to get clarification, work it out and all the things you state. However, with no luck. All they get is "no religious text". The commission even said back in June, I believe, on a Channel 2 news story that the way NCA intended to use the Bible was approved and legal and would have oversight. It was quoted on the news and flashed across the screen in response to the first AP story that was written about the subject. Later when the AG office stated the ruling, the state just aligned itself and would not clarify just days before the school opened.
fredomof education - 6:36 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
“Freedom of ed; I have talked to Dr. Kern. On more times than you can count on both hands. this said I whole hardly believe in classical education but in this state the AG has said all religious texts are banned by the state con. (even if only for teaching history) the Moffits saying in public (on the news) that we are going to break the law flys in the face of their own core values. the previous board did not want to break the law so they resigned in protest but under threat of being sued remained silent the Moffits do not follow their own set of standards set out for the whole world to see they MUST go or the academy will not survive the year
five of eight - 7:57 PM, Tuesday November 24, 2009
“They didn't say, "We are going to break the law." They (the board)has said on numerous occasions they want the commission to uphold the law, but there is a differnce in interpretation. That is why they need to go to court, to get clarification. The problem is the commission backpeddled from its original stance. They said they had reviewed how the charter would use religious texts and it was fine early in the summer. Then, they changed their mind AFTER the academy had already purchased the curriculum. All the information they needed was in the charter. The commission is playing politics. By the way: if the academy, and other schools, had to remove all religious texts, you might as well not have a high school literature class. I remember reading a lot of religious material when I was in school: Jonathan Edwards, for one. It's like the AG is saying it's perfectly okay to read opinions about religion (fiction stories, opinion articles, speeches, sermons, etc.) but you shouldn't actually have any education about what those source documents say. It's rediculous. Kids can get opinions from anywhere. Let's encourage them to go to the original documents instead of just blindly going off what others say the original documents say. This includes religious documents other than the bible, but it should also be included.
fredomof education - 4:55 PM, Wednesday November 25, 2009
