Today's Opinions

The selection of Gary Aytes as Roane County Schools director has been welcomed by many — and rightly so.

At a time when funding and teachers’ employment issues have caused tension elsewhere, he has boosted morale among teachers and parents in Roane County.

Aytes also has found love along the way.

At a school board meeting last month, Aytes was congratulated on his recent marriage to Glenna Treece, a well-respected former Midtown Elementary School principal who now works as the school system’s parent involvement coordinator.

Location is everything in real estate, some say, and the new Roane Medical Center is expertly positioned to be accessible to local and regional patients.
The open house on Sunday was a good chance to get a feel for this patient-friendly facility.
Lots of natural lighting and views of the countryside will make a stay there less tiresome, and the couch-bed for overnight guests of patients will be very well received.

By CHARLES C. HAYNES
First Amendment Center
Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the devotional use of the Bible by public schools, in its ruling on Abington Township v. Schempp.
But many school districts in the Lone Star State still haven’t gotten the message, according to a report released last month by the Texas Freedom Network entitled “Reading, Writing and Religion.”