BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Board of Education is slated to consider a resolution on Thursday to allow or reject the public display of the Ten Commandments at its community schools.
According to the board agenda, the board is seeking to include documents that have special historical significance to the community and U.S. history.
“The underpinnings of our system of government are rooted in a steadfast belief in Almighty God and the conviction that all morality, justice and inalienable rights derive from His gracious hand,” the resolution included in the agenda said.
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If the resolution is approved, schools under the Kern County Board of Education jurisdiction would publicly display the “Foundations of American Law and Government,” the agenda said.
The display would include the Ten Commandments, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution, Star-Spangled Banner, Pledge of Allegiance and the National Motto — “In God We Trust.”
The documents would be displayed at the following locations:
Kelly F. Blanton Education Center (Community and Probation)
East Kern Community School
Lake Isabella Community School
North Kern Community School
West Kern Community School
These locations are community schools under the Alternative Education category. Enrollment in a community school is only for expelled students, students recommended by a school attendance review board, students whose parents requested enrollment and were approved by the district, students referred by the probation department and students on probation or parole who aren’t attending any school.
The resolution said the historical documents and principles formed the foundation of several laws, education and government systems in the U.S. and the state of California.
The resolution also said California’s History-Social Science Content Standards for public schools requires students to learn about the foundation of the republican form of government, including Judeo-Christian principles shown in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
The display is consistent with the HSSCS requirements, the resolution argued.
The board is also expected to consider a contract on Thursday with Liberty Counsel for legal representation, according to the agenda.
Liberty Counsel is a Christian ministry founded in 1989 with offices in Florida, Virginia and Washington D.C. According to Liberty Counsel, its mission statement is “Restoring the culture by advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the family.”
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The proposed contract says Liberty Counsel would provide legal representation for the board and its trustees at no cost, defending the board from claims brought against them regarding the adoption of the historical documents display and related events.
The board previously discussed the possibility of putting up the display during a meeting in October, where members of the community expressed split opinions.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Kern County Board of Education’s Board Room at 1300 17th St.
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