3510 - Religious-Based Exemptions from School Programs ## Religious-Based Exemptions From School Programs
The curriculum of the Avery County School district will be based on the current statewide instructional standards. The board and the school district will exercise their authority to select appropriate materials and teach the curriculum in an effective manner. The board supports the free exercise of religion and prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion. While students are expected to participate in all required courses and school activities, this policy provides parents with a process for seeking a religious-based exemption for a child’s participation.
If parents have religious-based objections to certain programs, they may petition to exempt their child from participation. Any request for exemption should be submitted to the superintendent in accordance with the following guidelines: § * the request must be in writing; § * the request must specify the activities or studies which violate their religious beliefs and explain how their religious beliefs are violated by the activity; and § * the request may suggest a proposed alternate activity or study.
The superintendent shall review the request in accordance with constitutional or statutory standards and shall accommodate the request when required to do so by law. If accommodation not required by law, the superintendent or designee may choose accommodate such a request after weighing factors such as the interest of the child, the impact on other students and the availability of alternative activities or materials. An appeal of the superintendent’s decision may be made to the board through the student grievance procedure.
Legal References: U.S. Const. Amend. I; N.C. Const. Art. I, §14; G.S. 115C-36, -47
Cross Reference: Student and Parent Grievance Procedure (policy 1740/4010),Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Curriculum Development (policy 3100),
Adopted: 2000-11-06
Revised: 2013-07-09 2013-12-10