Fort Worth clergy members from various churches gathered together on Wednesday to preach a common message that can’t be found in a Bible verse: “Say no to school vouchers.”
Pastors for Texas Children hosted a town hall on Wednesday, April 2, at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church to highlight support for public schools and voice opposition against proposed school voucher programs, also known as education savings accounts. There were about 100 community members in attendance who listened to four local pastors speak out about what they say is a brewing injustice to public school children, especially the most vulnerable. Rev. Mary Spradlin, senior pastor at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church; Rev. Michael Bell, senior pastor of Greater St. Stephen First Church; Rev. Ryon Price, senior pastor of Broadway Baptist Church; and Rev. Tom Plumbley, senior pastor of First Christian Church, spoke during the town hall alongside Rev. Charles Johnson, executive director of Pastors for Texas Children.
“The way that you disrupt a democracy is you stop educating the people,” Spradlin said. “Make no mistake, that is what is behind this.”
Spradlin said her congregation advocates unapologetically for public schools. She is part of decision-making committees at Arlington Heights High and North Hi Mount Elementary, where she hears about the obstacles educators are constantly facing to meet state requirements and serve their students. Her advocacy work is rooted in speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves, she said. Spradlin called on attendees to contact their local representatives and members of the House Public Education Committee, which meets Thursday to consider related bills…