Policy 5.095

Absences for Religious Reasons

1. Purpose. To ensure compliance with state laws, rules and regulations regarding the absences of students for religious reasons and to recognize the School District's responsibility to enforce the attendance requirements of the state.

2. Policy. Students shall be excused from attendance on a particular day or days, or for part of a day, and shall be excused from any examination, study or work assignment for religious instruction, observation of a religious holiday or because of the tenets of his or her religion forbid secular activity at such time, when such requests are made by the parent or guardian consistent with this policy. Students shall be afforded an opportunity to make up any examination, study or work assignment which has been missed for religious purposes, and without adverse effects.

   1. The religious instruction shall be the responsibility of the religious institution.

   2. Transportation of the student to and from the religious institution where the religious instruction or holiday observance is held shall be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

   3. The School Board shall not be liable for the health, safety and welfare of a student while on release time during the school day for religious instruction or holidays. The student's parent or legal guardian shall execute an appropriate form which indemnifies and holds harmless the School Board from all liability for conduct which occurs on property over which the School Board has no control or supervision as a condition precedent to approval of the requested time for religious instruction.

   4. The Principal may ask the religious institution for attendance records.

3. Procedures. The following procedures are provided to address requests for students to be absence for religious reasons.

   1. The school principal shall implement this policy on an individual basis. School principals and administrators are encouraged to consider the religious calendars of various religious groups when planning calendars for such matters as testing, commencement, major athletic and other school related matters.

   2. It is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to notify the school principal of the need for release time for religious reasons, and to work with the school principal and teachers to develop an agreement to make up examinations, homework/project assignments, and class work missed during the established release times.

   3. Prior to the student's absence for religious reasons, a written request must be provided by the parent or guardian.

   4. In the event of a complaint regarding the failure to provide for religious accommodations, the complainant may appeal directly to the Area Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee.

4. Annual Notification. Students and Parents shall be notified annually of this policy and of any related procedures and guidelines.

5. Implementation of Policy. The Superintendent shall develop administrative procedures and guidelines to implement this policy.