THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
Belton and Frisco are two Texas cities
that many people would classify as “safe.”
Belton is located between Killeen and Temple on Interstate 35, while Frisco is situated on the Dallas North Tollway and Texas 121 (The Sam Rayburn Tollway). Both cities have school districts that are popular among families living in those respective regions.
During the past three years, however, that sense of security took a hit based on two school-related stabbings.
Last week, the suspects in each case either received a prison sentence or was named in an indictment.
Caysen Allison was sentenced to 10 years behind bars June 23 after he was found guilty of criminally negligent manslaughter in the May 2022 stabbing death of Belton High School student Joe Ramirez.
In the other case, Karmelo Anthony was indicted on a firstdegree murder charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf April 2 at a track and field meet in Frisco.
Anthony and Metcalf attended different high schools in the Frisco Independent School District – Anthony went to Centennial, Metcalf attended Memorial.
As I mentioned in a previous piece, if guns were involved in these instances, there would be a call for more gun laws. I have yet to hear an outcry for knife laws.
Maybe the outcry we need is for God to return to public schools. Yes, there is a separation of church and state, and public schools are run by the state/government.
However, a little prayer never hurt anybody. Especially when the prayer is voluntary.
On June 21, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11, which allows school districts to adopt a policy to provide students and staff with a period of prayer during the school day. The bill was advanced by the Texas Senate March 4, and the Texas House gave final approval May 22.
Now I understand there will be people who disagree with SB11 because they believe it will alienate students and staff of non-Christian religions. I can imagine that most school districts will allow students and staff of Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and other faiths to pray as well.
What about students and staff who identify as atheist or agnostic? Perhaps they can use that time as a way to prepare for their next class or lesson – or do homework.
With the option of prayer returning to public schools, I believe this is a step in the right direction. I pray – no pun intended – that measures like this will lessen incidents like stabbings or school shootings.
It’s refreshing to see a bill like this be signed. It’s time for God to return to public schools.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners.
com.
