Bible class prognosis uncertain

January 19, 2011

Despite comments to the contrary from members of the Howard County Bible Board — the organization responsible for funding the Bible class at Big Spring High School — school district officials say the program has not been shut down.

Big Spring Independent School District Superintendent Steven Saldivar said Tuesday the program, which teaches Bible studies as an elective, has not been shut down.

“We still have the course,” Saldivar said. “No changes have been made. Claims we have done away with the Bible class are not correct.”

When asked if instructor Dr. Bill Welsh was still in charge of the course, Saldivar would not comment, saying it was a personnel matter and he would not discuss it.

Saldivar did confirm, however, that Welsh was still an employee of the school district and early reports the teacher had been escorted off the school campus were incorrect.

“Mr. Welsh is still with us,” Saldivar said Tuesday afternoon. “Any sort of reports he was escorted off the campus are false. He is still employed by the school district.”

For more information, you may subscribe to the Big Spring Herald or purchase an e-edition.