Jerome Joint School District No. 261

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION 2355

Release Time for Religious Instruction

For students in grades K through 8 (K-8), the District will/will not allow release time for religious instruction.

Upon application, students in grades 9-12 may be excused from school for religious instruction provided that no

student will be excused in excess of five (5) periods in a school week or one hundred sixty-five (165) hours in any

given school year.

The Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine religious release time(s)

Release time shall not interfere with the scheduling of classes, activities and programs of public schools. No credit

shall be given for completion of courses during release time for religious purposes. Registration for release time

programs shall not occur on school property.

The District is not responsible for the health, safety and welfare of a student participating in a release time

program nor will the District be liable for acts, injuries or events occurring while: (1) a student is being transported

to and from release time programs; or (2) while a student participates in religious instruction.

Legal Reference: Article IX, § 6 Idaho Constitution – Religious Test and Teaching in School Prohibited

I.C. § 33-519 Release for Religious Instruction

I.C. § 33-1603 Sectarian Instruction Forbidden

IDAPA 08.02.02.220 Release Time Program for Elementary and Secondary Schools

Policy History:

Adopted on: February 27, 2007

Revised on: