Posted 9:10 AM by Susan Darst Williams

REFUSING TO GAMBLE AWAY CHARACTER ED

For those who have been bothered by the ethics of the fact that Nebraska public schools have taken a cut of some $80.2 million from the statewide lottery in the past 10 years or so, take heart. A school in Idaho has become an outstanding role model that the Cornhusker State’s schools could emulate.

According to a report published Wednesday on MSNBC.com, the North Star Public Charter School in Boise, Idaho, turned down a check for $10,000 because it came from the Idaho State Lottery.

The article said “school officials decided that taking gambling money would conflict with the school’s mission of developing virtuous citizens.’’ They also said that gambling preys on the less fortunate in our communities, and that “children are the ones who will pay for it.’’

Well, what do you know? Isn’t that JUST what I’ve been SAYING?

The report said that a check with several other states turned up no other examples of schools that turned down the ‘’filthy lucre’’ of gambling proceeds.

How about it? Is there some trustworthy, honest, courteous, brave, clean, kind and reverent school official in Nebraska with the backbone to do this? To put character education in practice as an example for those innocent little eyes that are watching our every move?

I hope a lot of educators are mentally awake and morally straight enough to do this.

Way to go, Idaho!

(Source: “Idaho School Turns Down Lottery Check’’ on www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6237303/ )