Policy 601.03 Religious Expression
It is the policy of Spirit Lake Community Schools that the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee shall annually distribute the most recent version of the “Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression” produced by the U.S. Department of Education, and distributed by the Iowa Department of Education, to each board member, principal, and teacher (including making available to substitute and student teachers).
It is the policy of Spirit Lake Community Schools to allow students and staff to engage in constitutionally protected prayer within the district schools consistent with applicable statutory or case law pertaining to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Accordingly, no board policy will prevent, or otherwise deny participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in district schools, consistent with federal law.
It is the policy of the Spirit Lake Community Schools that religious content in student assignments will be evaluated using the same academic grading standards applied to secular work.
It is the policy of Spirit Lake Community Schools that religious student organizations have the same rights, access to facilities, and institutional support as secular student clubs.
It is the policy of Spirit Lake Community Schools to offer professional development opportunities to each employee of the school district or charter school regarding constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public elementary and secondary schools.
Concerns may be directed to the district civil rights coordinator.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Approved: 10/12/26 Reviewed: Revised: