It is the policy of the Red Oak Community School District that constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression by students and staff will be permitted consistent with applicable law and federal religious expression standards. The district will not discriminate against or penalize students or student organizations for protected religious, political, or ideological expression and will provide equal opportunities for such expression in classroom discussions, assignments, student gatherings and clubs, and clothing or accessories. Student work will be evaluated using ordinary academic standards without discrimination based on the viewpoints expressed. The district will distribute current federal guidance, annually notify each employee of its availability, offer professional development opportunities, and annually certify compliance with this policy to the Iowa Department of Education.
The superintendent will annually distribute the most recent version of the “Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression” produced by the U.S. Department of Education and distributed by the Iowa Department of Education to each board member, principal, and teacher, including substitute and student teachers.
Students and staff will be permitted to engage in constitutionally protected prayer in district schools consistent with applicable statutory and case law pertaining to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. No board policy will prevent or otherwise deny participation in constitutionally protected prayer in district schools consistent with federal law.
Religious content in student assignments will be evaluated using the same academic grading standards applied to secular work.
Religious student organizations will have the same rights, access to facilities, and institutional support as secular student clubs.
The school district will offer professional development opportunities to each employee regarding constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public elementary and secondary schools.
Concerns regarding this policy may be directed to the district civil rights coordinator.
Approved October 21, 2026
Reviewed
Revised
