603.8 Teaching About Religion

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

603.8 - TEACHING ABOUT RELIGION

The school district is required to keep the practice of religion out of the school curriculum.  The board recognizes the key role religion has played in the history of the world and authorizes the study of religious history and traditions as part of the curriculum.  Preferential or derogatory treatment of a single religion shall not take place.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the study of religion in the schools in keeping with the following guidelines:

•  the proposed activity must have a secular purpose;
•  the primary objective of the activity must not be one that advances or inhibits religion; and
•  the activity must not foster excessive governmental entanglement with religion.

NOTE:  This policy and the accompanying regulation reflect the law on teaching religion in the public schools.

Legal Reference:         U.S. Const. amend. I.

                                    Lee v. Weisman. 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).

                                    Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).

                                    Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608

F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).

                                    Iowa Codes §§ 279.8; 280.6 (1995).

Cross Reference:         603    Instructional Curriculum

                                    604.5  Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

                                    606.2  School Ceremonies and Observances

Approved:                   8/17/99

Reviewed:                 10/19/15, 11/22/21

Revised: