Code Number: 602.12
Parents or guardians who wish to have their student exempted from a required education program or
activity because of religious beliefs must inform the administrator of the student’s attendance center. If the exemption request is related to a physical education course, health course, physical activity requirement, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation course, the exemption request will be granted in accordance with state law. For all other courses of study or activities, the Board authorizes the administration in its discretion to allow the exemption if it is not disruptive to the educational process and does not infringe on a compelling state or educational interest. Further, the exemption must not interfere with other District operations.
In notifying the building administrator, the parent or guardian shall:
- Provide a written request for the exemption;
- State that the request is based on religious beliefs;
- Explain which programs or activities are at issue due to religious beliefs;
- State why the program or activity violates their religious beliefs;
- Offer a proposed alternate study program or activity; and
- Provide sufficient advance notice to the building administrator so that appropriate alternatives, as determined by the administration, may be implemented.
The factors the building administrator may consider when receiving a request for an exemption from a
program or activity due to religious beliefs include, but are not limited to, the availability of staff to supervise the student who wishes to be excused, space to accommodate the student while the student is excused from the activity, availability of an approved alternative course of study or activity while the student is excused, the number of students who wish to be exempted from the same program or activity, whether allowing the exemption places the school in a position that it is supporting a particular religion, and whether the program or activity is required for promotion to the next grade level for graduation.
- First Adoption:
- 1995-05-23
- Revision Adoption:
- April 9, 1996/ March 13, 2000/ April 27, 2009/ September 9, 2013/ June 11, 2018
- Reviewed Dates:
- April 30, 2018
- Legal Reference:
-
U.S.C.A. Constitution Amendment I
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992)
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 91 S. Ct. 2105 (1971)
Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County,
608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985)
Iowa Code Chapters 256.11(6), 279.8
281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.5(6)