604.05 - Religious-Based Exclusion from A School Program

Parents who wish to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs must inform the building principal.  The board authorizes the administration to allow the exclusion if it is not disruptive to the education program and it does not infringe on a compelling state or educational interest. Further, the exclusion must not interfere with other school district operations.  Students who are allowed to be excluded from a program or activity which violates their religious beliefs are required to do an alternate supervised activity or study.

In notifying the building principal, the parents will abide by the following:

• The notice is in writing;
• The objection is based on religious beliefs;
• The objection will state which activities or studies violate their religious beliefs;
• The objection will state why these activities or studies violate their religious beliefs; and
• The objection will state a proposed alternate activity or study.

The building principal will have discretion to make this determination.  The factors the building principal will consider when a student requests to be excluded from a program or activity because of religious beliefs include, but are not limited to, staff available to supervise a student who wishes to be excluded, space to house the student while the student is excluded, available building principal approved alternative course of study or activity while the student is excluded, number of students who wish to be excluded, whether allowing the exclusion places the school in a position of supporting a particular religion, and whether the program or activity is required for promotion to the next grade level or for graduation.

 

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 Code §§ 256.11(6); 279.8. 

 

I.C. Iowa Code Description 

Iowa Code § 256.11 DE - Educational Standards 

Iowa Code § 279.8 Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees 

 

Case Law Description 

Graham v. Central CSD of Decatur Cnty. 608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985). 

Lee v. Weisman S.Ct. 2649 (1992) 

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

 

Cross References Description 

603.08 Teaching About Religion 

603.08-R(1) Teaching About Religion - Regulation-Religious Holidays 

606.02 School Ceremonies and Observances 

 

Approved: 6/20/2016, 9/20/2021, 10/21/2026

Reviewed: 10/21/2026

Revised: 10/21/2026