Statement from the woman who raised questions about the Fort Oglethorpe cheerleading banners
Oct 01, 2009 | 3811 views | 11 11 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend | print
This is a release on behalf of Donna Jackson by radio station WAAK in Catoosa County. She will be interviewed on the station today at 6:30 p.m.

Donna Jackson admits making a telephone call to Catoosa County school superintendent Denia Reese about cheerleader signs, but says that’s about the only part of the reports that are true.

Jackson, who has been the focus of a community’s ire due to rumors that she threatened legal action in order to get the signs containing Bible verses at Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia removed, has issued the following statement to help set the record straight.

“I did not call the superintendent and complain that the LFO cheerleaders’ signs violated federal law by promoting religion at a school function. I am not offended by Bible verses, much less by Bible verses displayed publicly.

“I would remind all who care about this issue, that the Bible condemns bearing false witness against a neighbor, as well as all forms of deceit, gossip and slander.

“I did call the superintendent to express concern that the cheerleaders’ signs be done in such a way that all involved were within the ever changing and very confusing lines drawn by the federal courts about such things. The issue was on my mind because of a school law class I took last summer at the Christian university where I am working on my doctorate of education degree.

That university is Liberty University, founded by the late Dr. Jerry Falwell. One of my sons recently graduated from LFO and another one is in school there now, and I never said anything about the signs all these years.

“I am not an expert on what the law or judicial opinions will or will not allow, but we all know of horror stories involving court battles and divided communities. I called the superintendent with the hope of heading off the type of community division that hasty actions have now caused.

“I never used the word “complain,” “complaint,” “grievance” or any other word similar in meaning. I expressed concern that teachers could be subject to lawsuits or losing their jobs. My concern was a direct result of the class I took this summer.

“I neither intendend nor expected her to take the drastic action that ensued.

“Only about two hours following that brief telephone conversation, I received an email from the superintendent that said the cheerleaders would no longer be allowed to display their signs. I was shocked, as many of my neighbors in this community were. I was further shocked by the attempts to pass that decision off as somehow the result of me complaining about the unconstitutionality of the cheerleaders’ signs. This is absolutely false.

“It is my hope that the school will see to it that all students are able to express themselves in such a way that they and the teachers who invest their lives in them are protected from potential lawsuits by some person, group or governmental body seeking to deny that God-given and Constitutionally-guaranteed right.”

Jackson will be a guest on the Clan Ceilidh radio show on Thursday night, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. The Clan Ceilidh is a local interest program and can be heard on WAAK 94.7 FM, or on the internet at http://waak.catt.com/ . The live program will be recorded and rebroadcast periodically.

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comments (11)
« 1parent wrote on Tuesday, Oct 06 at 05:51 PM »
Doesn't Ms. Jackson have kids in school in this county? I wonder how this makes them feel? I think from what i have heard about her from people that personally know her, that she is always looking for an opportunity to cause trouble, and I know that her husband is a home builder, this can't be good for his business either. This county is full of christians and i hope it continues to be the majority. Ms. Jackson please go somewhere else and cause your trouble!
« KASOMA wrote on Tuesday, Oct 06 at 06:00 AM »
Yeah HeritageMom, this Jackson lady is a trip, her husband also. If I'm not mistaken this is the same Jackson family that builds houses. Donna Jackson's husband in fact built my mother's house. In fact, my mother sent a certified letter to the Jackson's stating that several things in the house needed to be fixed. It was a brand new house and she sent the letter before the year was up. And she had already talked to them several times prior to sending the letter. In fact, my mother saw this Jackson lady out in town several times and each time this Jackson lady told my mother they were going to be coming and taking care of the issues that my elderly retired mother talked and wrote to them about. In fact, those things have never been addressed by the Jackson's and my mother has been living in that house more than 6 years. Now how's that for a truthful concerned woman. I don't believe a word out of her mouth. She's been caught with her hand in the cookie jar and now she want's to blame someone else. What a joke.
« HeritageMom wrote on Monday, Oct 05 at 11:42 PM »
I've had the displeasure of working with Donna Jackson over the past several years in the Catoosa County Schools. She is being portrayed absolutely accurately by the media. She filed a lawsuit last year against our school system, which was settled out of court. There was no reason to believe that she wouldn't do it again. Thanks, Mrs. Jackson, for taking away money from my children's classrooms and for *trying* making it impossible for everyone's kids to love God at school.
« freedomofspeech wrote on Monday, Oct 05 at 12:55 PM »
How come those who dont believe have more rights than those that do..where is our freedom of speech?

I would like to see Ms. Reese comments from Fridays interview on WRCB!!

« strangedaysindeed wrote on Friday, Oct 02 at 06:37 PM »
To say Mrs. Reese deserves a vote of no confidence does not make sense. She did the right thing to save the taxpayers of Catoosa County a lot of money. The lawsuit Catoosa County would have been hit with probably wouldn't have come from anyone local, but with an atheist group or some such from who knows where. Catoosa County taxpayers, along with all other Georgians, are going to be hit with higher property tax bills this year due to the state tax equalization grant being abolished. All we need is several million more dollars we don't have going to fight a lawsuit we would be destined to lose.
« Outlaw Poet wrote on Friday, Oct 02 at 03:19 PM »
Kudos to Idsknack for very cogent arguments. As a taxpayer, the last thing we need is to get into spending tax-dollars to defend against valid lawsuits. School is a place to learn. The football field is a place to play football. I am a Christian who feels that political correctness often goes overboard. The current issue is not the case here, however. America is NOT a church-state. LFO is NOT a private school.

The constitution does not have to have the exact words "separation of church and state" for the ideal to be inherantly taught within. Jefferson's writings expand on this theme elsewhere.

Those who want a church-state should have no problems with a country such as Iran then, which is a church-state, albeit, not a Christian state.

Finally, I do feel this issue is a good opportunity for us all to brush up on our history, and the founders' ideas and writings. There are sincere people on both sides of the issue. However, the bottom line is exactly what Idsknack writes: "Those of you that would like to see the signs remain on the field should raise the funds to defend against a steady stream of legal battles that will ensue. I do not want my tax dollars spent on such a money pit. If you wish to have religious signs on you football field go to a private school that is not a state funded organization."
« Billy Bob wrote on Friday, Oct 02 at 02:46 PM »
Where exactly in the Constitution does it say there must be seperation between church and state.

This amendment has been manipulated for years.This country was founded on FREEDOM of religion.My take is if you dont like freel free to leave.
« ldsknack wrote on Friday, Oct 02 at 05:12 AM »
The Superintendent has a fiscal responsibility to the school district and ultimately to the community. Property taxes, business partners, fundraisers, and teachers are the only revenue the district has to teach our children. Those of you that would like to see the signs remain on the field should raise the funds to defend against a steady stream of legal battles that will ensue. I do not want my tax dollars spent on such a money pit. If you wish to have religious signs on you football field go to a private school that is not a state funded organization. That is precisely why they exist. I applause Mrs. Reese for keeping my tax dollars directed to teaching my children. Any vote of no confidence should be against all those using this issue to grandstand and get in front of the camera. Good job Mrs. Reese!
« KASOMA wrote on Friday, Oct 02 at 03:22 AM »
I must take Mrs. Jackson at her word that her intent was to express concern. This is a hot issue. I do find fault with the superintendent who seems to have reacted with a "knee jerk" reaction. Her interview on the television didn't not come across as sincere when she said it broke her heart to tell the cheerleaders they could not display the banners. I wonder who she consulted with before she made this decision. Seems, as according to Mrs. Jackson, that if the superintendent sent her a reply e-mail back within two hours regarding these signs, that the superintendent consulted no one and made the decision herself. That didn't show very good leadership skills on the part of our superintendent. Maybe the school system lawyer might have been able to help her construct a reply. I feel this superintendent should receive a reprimand for her actions. I give a "vote of no confidence" to this superintendent. She has caused great concern for this community not to mention the position she has placed Mrs. Jackson in and her son that is still in school at LFO. It couldn't have been a comfortable few days for this boy. Stand up Catoosa County, vote "no confidence" in this superintendent. We need better leadership than this. This decision probably will stand now that it has been made but it does not prevent the individual from displaying their religious convictions in their own manner.
« jennsbaskin wrote on Thursday, Oct 01 at 06:05 PM »
I think the whole religious thing is ridiculous. I think children should be able to have banners, signs, songs, etc anything they want to say about scripture if they want. They are not forcing it on any one they are not making them go to church.
« ldsknack wrote on Thursday, Oct 01 at 03:29 PM »
Nice try. You pointed out a non-compliance issue of a sensitive nature. Once it is brought to the Superintendent's attention she has no recourse other than to comply, otherwise, the School District would be found willfully neglegent. Remember, our schools are state run entities that are bound to uphold the law, including Constitutional law. Seperation of church and state cannot be ignored and cannot be changed without an Admendment to the Constitution. Please recognize the wisdom behind our forefather's desire to allow freedom for all to be a way of life in this country. It is not a slam on religion to enforce the seperation but an opportunity for everyone to gather without predjudice. The arguments against the decision to pull the signs are heartfelt but oppose the freedoms for which much blood has been spilled to defend.
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