By BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Religion in this heavily Mormon state is being thrust to the forefront of the debate over who should be Utah's next governor.
The running mate of the Catholic Democratic nominee accused the state's Mormon Republican governor on Friday of introducing a religious wedge into the race.
At issue is the long-held practice of allowing children in Utah schools to leave campus each day for religious education. About 60 percent of Utah's residents belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Mormon seminary schools are generally found next to each of the state's high schools. To attend seminary, students must give up one of their electives. In most states, Mormon students typically attend seminary before or after school.
On Thursday, Herbert suggested that Corroon's plan for requiring students to take four years of math and science to graduate could force students to abandon their seminary release time.
"Electives you're going to have to give up in Utah under his proposal are gonna be some arts and probably seminary time," Herbert said. "I don't know that everybody in Utah's going to think that's a good idea to give up art and seminary release time in order to have this more rigorous curriculum."
Corroon's plan doesn't require students to give up art or seminary release time. Utah currently requires students to earn 24 credits to graduate, including six electives.
Under Corroon's plan, only four electives would be required.
Students would still be free to choose what electives those are and most school districts have room in their schedules for additional electives. Many school districts have a schedule that allows students to graduate with 32 credits.
Corroon's running mate, GOP Rep. Sheryl Allen, said there's plenty of room for seminary and art under their proposal and that Herbert is unnecessarily scaring people.
"It's unfortunate that a religious wedge has been interjected by Gary Herbert, because the discussion is about the future of our children and preparing them for the 21st Century," said Allen, a Mormon.
Herbert's comment about seminary was the second time this week he made subtle references to religion and education. On Monday, Herbert's campaign released a statement saying Corroon was nearing hypocrisy for saying he supports public education when his children go to private school. Corroon's three children attend a Catholic school in their neighborhood. Allen said she expressed bewilderment that Herbert brought up Corroon's decision to send his children there.
"The issue is preparing our students for the 21st century. It's not about Peter Corroon's children, it's not about Gary Herbert's children," she said.
Herbert campaign spokesman Don Olsen disputed Allen's charges. "He never said that seminary was going to be eliminated," Olsen said. "He was not attempting in any way to inject or to push a religious wedge into the race."
While Allen said there's room for seminary in the school schedule, she also said she and Corroon are open to discussing the possibility of moving it to before or after school. Olsen also said Herbert is open to that possibility if it is something families would prefer.
"If parents think that's the best thing, terrific. That's up to them," he said. "I'm sure that the governor would not be opposed in any way to discussion about whether early morning seminary is right."
Corroon and Herbert are facing off in a special election this November to fill out the remainder of former Gov. Jon Huntsman's term. Huntsman resigned in August to become U.S. ambassador to China, putting Herbert into the state's top job.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
