Siblings Who Avoid TV Are Suspended

Two students who say their religious beliefs prohibit them from watching television were suspended after repeatedly walking out of class.

School officials had suggested that the brother and sister look away from the television instead of leaving class, Perrysburg Junior High School Principal Patrick Calvin said Wednesday.

Calvin said that when that didn’t work, he had no choice but to punish Carlotta, 14, and DJ Maurer, 13.

“They were leaving class and they didn’t have permission to do that,” Calvin said. “It didn’t have anything to do with religion.”

The children and their mother, Selena, are members of the Church of God. The church believes television should be avoided because it contains violence and sex, discourages development of social skills and takes time away from families, the Rev. Ray Tinsman of the Church of God said.

But the children’s father, David, who is separated from their mother, said he has court-ordered jurisdiction over their education and doesn’t want the children to leave class.

“These kids are caught in the middle,” Calvin said.

The principal said he plans to meet with the family soon and will try to resolve the problem before punishing the students further.