Write a reply to the following discussion post: Taking over a school as the new principal can sometimes be overwhelming. As an educational leader, you want to observe your first year, make some changes, and see how the staff represents the school community and classroom culture. However, when you have questionable legal issues, you must act accordingly and have a plan of action that will benefit all. Educating the school staff on the legality, ethical, and moral issues but still hold to your Christian values as an educational leader. The components we are dealing with are the establishing clause, the free exercise clause, and the devotional atmosphere; these clauses have appeared to be in place for quite some time in this community. Although we have a clear violation of the first amendment, the law can be tricky when students initiate prayer on campuses. In my opinion, the principal needs to consider the community that he lives in and, of course, the board policy. If you value your position, you will follow the local school board policy until it becomes a more significant issue; otherwise, your stay in the school district and the community, such as the one I actually live will be short-lived. Every Student Succeeds Act, and The U.S. Department of Education states in section II student-initiated prayer teachers and administrators are prohibited by the first amendment from encouraging and discouraging prayer following the law and school board policy, will provide you with the guidance in this particular situation as a new principle. As Christian educators, we must hold to our faith and our beliefs. Sometimes, it is not clear when dealing with all the legal matters regarding our school, but we have to lean toward and trust God to guide us to know the difference between what is ethically and morally right for our school. In this time, with the division that we have in the world and our country, and the pandemic running ramped and taking so many lives. We must stop take a moment to pray, and in Matthew 20:18, New International Version says, “for where two or three gathers in my name, there am I with them.” That in itself is comforting for me to know that God is with me always Mathew 28:20, New International Version, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I believe communication with your faculty and being upfront with the faculty is essential; however, this will be a never-ending battle with church and state. U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Retrieved from Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
