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111795 Superintendent Bruce Dennis calls forum to end `witch hunt'
052199Bruce Dennis loses in Court when Federal Judge declares School Violated "Religious Rights."
Charges that Bedford Central Schools are immersed in Satanism and the ,occult has offended Bruce Dennis Now he will take the offensive.
'Its my intention to set the record straight, to answer the public's concerns, and show the charges against the district for the misguided set of erroneous. distorted accusations they were,' Dr Dennis said.
Since a large turnout is expected, only Bedford Central School District residents will be admitted. Photo identification which indicates residency will be required at the door. Off-duty police officers will be on hand.
Dr Dennis said accusations that the district is somehow linked with Satanism, Paganism and witch-craft are 'absurd - I feel silly even discussing this. But now we ve been subject to this broad-based media attack and we have to defend ourselves and our schools
"And now. he said, 'there s a perception that because we are deriving it, we've got something to hide. '
His colloquium was called in response to a September meeting, attended by 300 people, where speakers warned of Satanic and New Age teachings in the schools.
That meeting was organized by two Pound Ridge women, Mary Ann DiBari and Ceil DiNozzi, founders of a group called the Association Against the Seduction of Children. They flew in seven occult experts to plead their case.
Dr Dennis said the two are the only residents he is aware of in the community who support the charges. He is frustrated that New York news stations are still reporting their claims.
The women's crusade began ninth an attack of a card game at the elementary and middle schools, called "Magic: The Gathering," played before and after school. Their attacks grew to include much of the district's teaching practices.
Dr Dennis said an investigation proved the women's claims were unfounded.
For example, he said, the women wanted a book banned which contained the word "devils" in its title.
'We looked at the book and learned the word refers to a location, like Devil's Canyon or Pike's Peak," he said.
As to the card game, students must now have parental consent to play.
Since the September meeting, a petition was signed by more than 800 district residents supporting the Bedford schools and encouraging people to attend Monday's colloquium.
Andrea Donnelly, one of the petition organizers, said the petition is a "wake-up" call to the community to support the district against the charges.
"The schools have been insulted and every member of the community has been insulted. We're all very tired of this nonsense and I think the number of signatures points to the general mood of the public," she said.
That petition appears, in the form of a full-page ad, in this issue.
A student petition also contains hundreds of signatures. Lee Greenwood, a senior at Fox Lane High School, said a large portion of the students support the administration.
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All but one student I asked to sign the pennon refused to sign it." Lee said, "and that was because the person thought the accusations were too absurd to even acknowledge.Ms . DiBari said that she and 'As DiNozzi haven t decided whether to attend the superintendent s loquium which she called a kangaroo court.
Dr. Dennis said that. aside from a few introductory remarks, the forum will be devoted to hearing any and all audience comments and questions. He and members of the school board and staff will be there to respond.
Ms. DiBari expects censorship
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l would love to have the opportunity to get the truth out. but I don't think I'll be permitted to I would love just 15 minutes," she said.Ms. DiBari said she knows she is outnumbered The thought of attending the meeting, she said. brought to mind images of ancient Rome.
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It's like the Christians walking into the arena with the lions facing them and Dr Dennis sitting up there with his thumbs down,' she said.Ms. DiBari said that it is she and Ms. DiNozzi who are the subject of a witch hunt, not the schools.
Her objections to the curriculum, she said. include the teaching of "certain pagan cultures
"it goes beyond just the teaching of history,- she said 'It s reenacting it and immersing students into paganism and it s designed with a purpose to rid them of the traditions of Judeo-Christianity '
Ms DiBari said she won t go away until she rids the schools of "activities straight out of hell
See SATAN TRIAL