CPS board approves religion policy

Thursday, November 4, 2004

By SUE HAGAN
ThisWeek Staff Writer

Incorporating several changes since a first reading in September, the Columbus Public Schools Board of Education approved a policy Tuesday afternoon that describes the role religion can take in the public schools.

One change, allowing head coverings even during physical education classes, will force schools to amend prohibitions against students wearing anything on their heads while in school.

A number of Columbus high schools have posted signs directing students to remove hats and scarves.

"As long as it's for a religious reason, schools can't prohibit them (scarves and other head coverings)," said board Vice President Karen Schwarzwalder, who heads the board's legal, policy and personnel committee.

The policy says the district may require a letter from religious leaders or parents explaining the dress requirements.

Board members tabled a vote Sept. 21, saying they wanted input from the district's African American Advisory Council; that input was never received.

Schwarzwalder said changes came from suggestions that have been made by various religious organizations since work began on the policy last spring.

One addition says that students who are fasting for religious reasons may ask to be seated apart from other students, and another ties in the school district's anti-harassment policy. It prohibits harassment against any staff member or student based on national origin or religion. Penalties can include expelling students or firing staff members.

The basics of the policy have not changed since it was introduced in September. It says that religions and their holidays and symbols can be studied as part of a balanced curriculum, but particular religions cannot be promoted.

Other clauses say:

  • Students can pray during lunch, before and after school and during study halls, but can't leave class to pray. Additionally, school administrators are not obliged to rearrange classes to meet scheduled prayer times.

  • The district will try to offer alternative entrees at lunch, so students who cannot eat pork, for example, will have other options. However, there will be no special dietary kitchens to accommodate the rules of specific religions.

  • Parents may take their children out of school to observe religious holidays, and CPS will try not to schedule test days, parent-teacher visits and field trips on recognized holidays. Students will not be penalized for using "release time" for such holidays.

  • School-led religious clubs can meet on school grounds during noninstructional time, but staff members may not participate. However, the groups must have a faculty adviser, as other school groups do.

  • Religious groups may use school facilities after hours, as long as space is available.

  • Students may distribute religious materials to other students on a limited basis and to the same extent they are allowed to distribute other types of materials.

    Last spring, CPS staff members asked the board to create a uniform policy in light of the many different religions practiced by students in the district.

    The board approved the policy by a vote of 6-0; board member Loretta Heard was absent.

    In other business Tuesday, the board hired Gregory B. Scott, of Scott, Scriven & Wahoff LLP, as chief negotiator to represent the district in future teachers' contract negotiations. He will be paid up to $60,000.

    Superintendent Gene Harris said negotiations will begin by the end of the calendar year. The teachers' contract expires Dec. 31.

    Also, the board agreed to apply to the Ohio Department of Education to become an approved charter school sponsor. Being a sponsor would allow the district to help develop and oversee new charter schools. One of the first might be the district's own proposed downtown school, which officials hope to open in 2006.

    In July, Harris announced the district had received a $200,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to plan a new school under the "small schools" concept. Early plans describe a school with 100 students per grade that would tap into downtown resources and perhaps attract downtown families.

    <b>shagan@thisweeknews.com



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