Descriptor Code: ABBC
Displays of Religious Objects or Documents
Classroom and school displays may include religious symbols. The displays must be temporary, require no active participation in any religious activity, and should include diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic symbols.
Requests to display a religious object, decoration, or document within a aschool shall be filed with the Superintendent and approval must be obtained prior to displaying the object, decoration, or document. Any such display shall meet the following criteria:
1. It is not a permanent display;
2. The educational purpose of the display is clearly articulated in the request, and the request outlines the manner in which this purpose will be relayed to students;
3. The cultural, legal, or historical significance of the religious document or object is clearly articulated in the request, and the request outlines the manner in which this significance will be relayed to students;
4. The influence that the religious document or object has had on the legal and governmental systems of the country or culture being studied is clearly articulated in the request, and the request outlines the manner in which the document/object’s influence will be relayed to students;
5. The religious object or document is part of a larger display and is to be displayed in the same manner and appearance as other objects or documents in the display;
6. Nothing in the display shall call attention to the religious object or document apart from other objects or documents in the display;
7. The display is to be used as an illustration for purposes of the curriculum and is to be displayed in a classroom or library.
When a request to display a religious object/document/decoration is denied by administration, the requestor may file an appeal with a board-appointed review committee. The committee shall review the administrator's decision, take into account the above criteria, and issue recommendations to the Board as soon as practicable.
This policy does not govern nor will it infringe upon the rights of students and staff to wear religious symbols so long as doing so does not substantially disrupt the educational environment nor interfere with the rights of others.
This policy does not apply to secular displays of seasonal objects.
Adopted: November 2016
Displays of Religious Objects or Documents
Classroom and school displays may include religious symbols. The displays must be temporary, require no active participation in any religious activity, and should include diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic symbols.
Requests to display a religious object, decoration, or document within a aschool shall be filed with the Superintendent and approval must be obtained prior to displaying the object, decoration, or document. Any such display shall meet the following criteria:
1. It is not a permanent display;
2. The educational purpose of the display is clearly articulated in the request, and the request outlines the manner in which this purpose will be relayed to students;
3. The cultural, legal, or historical significance of the religious document or object is clearly articulated in the request, and the request outlines the manner in which this significance will be relayed to students;
4. The influence that the religious document or object has had on the legal and governmental systems of the country or culture being studied is clearly articulated in the request, and the request outlines the manner in which the document/object’s influence will be relayed to students;
5. The religious object or document is part of a larger display and is to be displayed in the same manner and appearance as other objects or documents in the display;
6. Nothing in the display shall call attention to the religious object or document apart from other objects or documents in the display;
7. The display is to be used as an illustration for purposes of the curriculum and is to be displayed in a classroom or library.
When a request to display a religious object/document/decoration is denied by administration, the requestor may file an appeal with a board-appointed review committee. The committee shall review the administrator's decision, take into account the above criteria, and issue recommendations to the Board as soon as practicable.
This policy does not govern nor will it infringe upon the rights of students and staff to wear religious symbols so long as doing so does not substantially disrupt the educational environment nor interfere with the rights of others.
This policy does not apply to secular displays of seasonal objects.
Adopted: November 2016