The curriculum of the school district will be based on the North Carolina mandated curriculum. The Wilkes County Board of Education and the school district will exercise their authority to select appropriate materials and teach the curriculum in an effective manner. The Board of Education 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 principal 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 principal will review the request in accordance with constitutional and any statutory standards and will accommodate the request when required to do so by law. If not required by law, the principal or designee may 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 principal’s decision may be made to the superintendent through the student grievance procedure.
Legal References: U.S. Const. amend. I; N.C. Const. art. I, 14; G.S. 115C-36, -47
Cross References: Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Curriculum Development (policy 3100), Academic Freedom (policy 3105)
Adopted: January 9, 2006
Revised: April 4, 2011