Community Center

Church and Community Center

The meaning of the separation of church and state would appear to be somewhat variable depending upon community standards and who has been elected at the time. The CLDI systems are designed to walk that line no matter where it comes to be drawn.

CLDI Inc. collects rents from government funded charter schools, however, CLDL has no direct connection with the government. Thus, unlike the charter school operators that are government funded, the government has no control over CLDL Inc, the property owner other than laws applicable to all property owners.

If the government should close down a charter school then CLDL could find a new tenant. The new tenant would be a state licensed and funded charter school. CLDL will lease to whichever school that CLDL determines to be an acceptable tenant.

Whether or not any tenant is in compliance with state directives regarding polices involving separation of church and state is not something CLDL has any duty to be concerned with or responsible for. It is the state’s responsibility to govern such matters.

Renting and leasing facilities to church groups and other community service organizations is a legitimate function of CLDL Inc. Having such facilities available on the same property as the charter school is a reasonable property development plan.

The presence of church group tenants who might well provide services to students and their families on the same property where a government funded charter school is a tenant would be too far removed to be deemed to violate separation of church and state doctrine.

It is a financial burden on the schools to provide extracurricular activities such as after school programs, summer camp type programs, or sports and physical fitness programs for charter school students. Church groups may do a better job of providing such community services. Students and their parents would be free to decide what programs they participate in.

• These extracurricular activities would be optional for charter school students and the school would not be involved with the management or administration of these activities. Keeping these activities outside of the school operations would eliminate any linkage to government funding and to separation of church and state concerns. 
• Church groups have access to volunteer workers and donated funds in order to provide quality extracurricular activities in an economical manner. 
• CLDI policy of renting and leasing space to multiple different church groups rather than only one church will provide opportunity for a verity of such extracurricular activities. 
• Education is more than in school learning. A child needs to learn how to interact socially and needs to know right from wrong. It is important to have easy and convenient access to community and church services to assist in providing a well rounded education.