50 Years of ODACS: Protecting Christian Schools in Virginia

In this episode of AACS Today, Jamison is joined by Dan Zacharias, Executive Director of the Old Dominion Association of Church Schools (ODACS), to discuss the landscape of Christian education in Virginia. As ODACS celebrates its 50th anniversary, the conversation highlights the association's unique role in supporting member schools across the state of Virginia.A primary focus is the recent legislative battle over House Bill 359, a radical proposal that sought to grant the state absolute control over private school hiring, curriculum, and disciplinary procedures by broadly defining private donations as "public assistance." While the bill is currently stalled in appropriations due to its significant fiscal impact, Jamison and Dan emphasize that this is only a temporary victory requiring continued vigilance. The episode also recounts vital regulatory victories involving childcare ratios and fundraising overreach, underscoring the necessity of active political engagement. Looking forward, Zacharias and Coppola explore the "golden opportunity" presented by the Education Freedom Tax Credit, a federal provision set for 2027 that will allow taxpayers to reclaim funds for Christian education. The discussion concludes with a reflection on the spiritual importance of maintaining a Biblical worldview in the classroom.