TISD responds to challenge of Mentoring Alliance partnership

TYLER — Tyler ISD has responded with a brief statement after its partnership with locally-based Mentoring Alliance was challenged. The Freedom from Religion Foundation said Wednesday that TISD must immediately revoke a large subsidy for the Mentoring Alliance’s sectarian religious summer camp. In a news release, the foundation says TISD has approved $500,000 in partnership with the Christ-centered ministry to send students to camp each summer. The news release says FFRF was contacted by a concerned district community member about the summer camp program. TISD responded by saying, “The district values its partnership with the Mentoring Alliance and its support of the district’s mission of successful student outcomes.”