More than half of Cleveland Metropolitan School District students are considered chronically absent from class, a problem that’s gotten worse since the pandemic.
For years, the district has turned to local speakers and partners to try to motivate students to stay in school. But a recent tour by prominent Black Cleveland pastor R.A. Vernon has generated an unusual amount of controversy, with some, including the teacher’s union, raising questions about a lack of separation between church and state.
Vernon is the senior pastor at, and co-founder of, The Word Church, one of the biggest Black churches in Cleveland. He’s been going to CMSD schools since early February, talking about his life and giving gift cards to students with perfect attendance. He’s also invited honor roll students and valedictorians to his church for a party at the end of the semester…