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.
Legal Reference: U.S. Constitution amendment 1; Lee v. Weisman 112 S. Ct. 2649 (1992). Lemon v. Kurtzman 403 U.S. 602 (1971). Graham v. Central Decatur CSD 608 F. Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985). Iowa Code 279.8; 280.6 (2003).
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum 604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program 606.2 School Ceremonies and Observances
Approved Jan. 14, 2004
Reviewed January 8, 2024
Revised