Religious expression put before Board
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: July 3, 2009
BENSON — The School Board will vote next month on a policy on religious expression in school.
The policy, which will be distributed to the public in the August town newsletter, says that religious references as part of the curriculum are allowed while school-sponsored religious observances are not. The 11-page document lists numerous examples.
The policy is the result of months of work by a task force appointed by the board. It was triggered by a controversy that started in December and carried over to town elections in March. The board is scheduled to vote on the policy at its Aug. 11 meeting.
The controversy began when the principal at Benson Village School removed Christmas decorations made by students in art class from the school walls. This led to a number of discussions about religious expressions and observances in the school.
At town meeting, an advisory article asking if students should observe the "holiday season" with a concert and decorations "equally divided to include all traditions and beliefs" passed by a vote of 26-15.
The policy, which cites several court cases, covers not only broad strokes, but also answers specific questions about what is and is not allowed. Broadly, the policy says the school's role is to teach about religious holidays, not to celebrate them.
While the policy advises avoiding religious decoration, it also says that art produced in class and hung on walls is not "decoration," though it says if a class looks at one religion in particular, it should also look at others. The policy stops short of forbidding the display of Christmas trees.
"In such circumstances care should be taken that any such display involve a variety of symbols from a variety of faiths, and that no one faith's symbol is seen to receive preferential treatment in placement or prominence," the policy reads.
The policy says the school should hold a "winter" concert rather than a "Christmas" one, though it does not forbid the performance of Christmas carols, but rather requires diversity in song selection.
Similarly, the policy calls for religious discussions in classes to look at the beliefs of multiple faiths and to take care that students of a particular religion, or of no religion, are not made to feel at a disadvantage.
School Board Chairman Eric Hults declined to discuss the policy with a reporter.
Board member Michael Ellis said he was not the board's spokesman, but he believed the policy would offer guidance to teachers and staff.
"It shouldn't be the school's function to celebrate," Ellis said. "If it's part of the curriculum, that's fine. … It's nothing that probably isn't in a number of other schools' policies."
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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