Parents may request to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs. The Board authorizes the administration to allow the exclusion if it is not disruptive to the education program and it does not infringe on a compelling state or educational interest. Further, the exclusion must not interfere with other District operations.
Parents shall request to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs by notifying the building principal of their request. In notifying the building principal the parents will abide by the following:
- The notice shall be in writing;
- The objection shall be based on legitimately held religious beliefs;
- The objection will state which activities or studies violate their religious beliefs;
- The objection will state why these activities or studies violate their religious beliefs; and
- The objection will state a proposed alternate activity or study.
The principal will have discretion to making the above-referenced determination. The factors the principal will consider when a student’s parents request that the student be excluded from a program or activity because of religious beliefs include, but are not limited to, staff availability to supervise a student who wishes to be excluded, space to house the student while the student is excluded, availability of a principal approved alternative course of study or activity while the student is excluded, the number of students who wish to be excluded, whether allowing the exclusion places the District in a position of supporting a particular religion, and whether the program or activity is required for promotion to the next grade level or for graduation.
Students who are permitted to be excluded from a program or activity which violates their religious beliefs shall be required to do an alternate supervised activity or course of study.
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Approved: 8/14/89 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 11/9/09; 6/10/13; 5/13/19 |