8800 - RELIGIOUS/PATRIOTIC CEREMONIES AND OBSERVANCES
Decisions of the United States Supreme Court have made it clear that it is not the province of a public school to advance or inhibit religious beliefs or practices. Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution, this remains the inviolate province of the individual and the church of his/her choice. The rights of any minority, no matter how small, must be protected. No matter how well intended, either official or unofficial sponsorship of religiously-oriented activities by the school are offensive to some and tend to supplant activities which should be the exclusive province of individual religious groups, churches, private organizations, or the family.
District employees or agents of the District shall not use prayer, religious readings, or religious symbols as a devotional exercise or in an act of worship or celebration during their normal working hours or during the hours s/he is functioning as an employee or agent of the District. The District shall not act as a disseminating agent for any person or outside agency for any religious or anti-religious document, book, or article. Distribution of such materials on District property by any party shall be in accordance with Policy 7510 and AP 7510 - Use of District Facilities and Policy 9700 and AP 9700 - Relations with Special Interest Groups.
Federal law prohibits the Board from adopting any policy or rule respecting or promoting an establishment of religion. Further, Federal and State law prohibit the Board from adopting any policy or rule or from entering into any agreement prohibiting any student or staff member from the free, individual, and voluntary exercise or expression of the individual's religious beliefs. However, such exercise or expression may be limited to lunch periods or other non-instructional time periods when students and staff are free to associate.
Observance of religious holidays through devotional exercises or acts of worship is also prohibited. Acknowledgment of, explanation of, and teaching about religious holidays of various religions is encouraged. Celebration activities involving nonreligious decorations and use of secular works are permitted, but it is the responsibility of all faculty members to ensure that such activities are strictly voluntary, do not place an atmosphere of social compulsion or ostracism on minority groups or individuals, and do not interfere with the regular school program.
The Board shall not conduct or sanction a baccalaureate service in conjunction with graduation ceremonies.
The Board shall not include religious invocations, benedictions, or formal prayer at any school-sponsored event.
The display of the State motto, “In God We Trust”, shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in each school and in each building used by the District in accordance with F.S. 1003.44.
The flag of the United States and the official flag of Florida shall be raised above each school and/or other District building or grounds during all school sessions, weather permitting. The flags shall be raised before the opening of school and taken down at its close every day.
Furthermore, the Board encourages an observance be scheduled each year on or about Veterans' Day to convey the meaning and significance of that day to all students and staff. The amount of time each school devotes to this observance shall be at the discretion of the principal.
Instructional staff members are authorized to lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance at an appropriate time each school day. However, no student shall be compelled to participate in the reciting of the Pledge. Additionally, the Board prohibits the intimidation of any student by other students or staff for the purpose of coercing participation. The Superintendent shall develop administrative procedures which ensure that any staff member who conducts this activity does it at an appropriate time, in an appropriate manner, and with due regard to the need to protect the rights and the privacy of a nonparticipating student. A written notice shall be published in the Code of Student Conduct that a student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge. Upon written request by his/her parent/legal guardian, the student must be excused from reciting the pledge, including standing and placing the right hand over his/her heart.
Revised 5/13/03
Revised 4/12/05
Revised 10/9/18
Reviewed 4/25/23
© Neola 2016