The District values the diverse religious beliefs of its students and employees and recognizes the positive effects that religion has in our community and in our schools. It is the District’s goal to respect the religious freedom of students and employees to the fullest extent possible.
Accommodations: Students
The District shall make every effort to reasonably accommodate the religious beliefs of each student. No student shall be prevented from exercising his or her religious beliefs at school unless doing so creates a material and substantial disruption to the operations of the school or invades the rights of another student.
When curriculum conflicts with the sincerely held religious beliefs of a student or his or her parent or legal guardian, accommodation in the curriculum shall be made for the student. Such an accommodation may include excusing the student from the assignment or class discussion which conflicts with their religious beliefs and/or providing an alternative assignment for the student. If the accommodation is so great that the student will be substantially deprived of an effective education, the Superintendent will determine how to address this.
Accommodations: Employees
The District shall accommodate the religious beliefs of its employees unless doing so would violate the law or would otherwise impose an undue hardship on the District. To constitute an undue hardship, an accommodation must impose substantial increased costs in the overall context of District operations or otherwise substantially undermine the ability of the District to achieve its educational mission.
All student religious accommodation requests shall be submitted in writing to the building principal. Employee religious accommodation requests shall be submitted in writing to the employee’s direct supervisor. Any denial of such a request by a student or an employee may be appealed, first to the Superintendent, and, if not resolved, to the School Committee.
LEGAL REF: M.G.L. 76:5; 151B:4
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000-e et seq.
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