District legal and policy staff presented draft procedures and a proposed form on Oct. 16 to implement voluntary student exclusions that parents may seek under the U.S. Supreme Court decision referenced in the presentation (referred to in the meeting as Mammoth v. Taylor). The briefing explained the narrow legal standard described by the court and how the district intends to operationalize parents' requests.

Staff identified the two-part legal standard the district would apply: (1) a parent must assert that specific instructional material or a lesson conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief, and (2) the material must pose a substantial threat to the religious upbringing of the child as presented to that child. Presenters said the standard applies to lessons required by instruction (TK–12) and to discrete lessons rather than blanket removal of entire courses. Staff clarified that the draft guidance would not require removing library books, would not bar students from discussing LGBTQ topics among themselves, and would not automatically exclude non-fiction or historical accounts covered by California’s FAIR education requirements.

The briefing described how the district will notify parents (annual notifications and student/parent handbooks) and make a form available on the district website to request an exclusion. Staff said administrators will contact parents to clarify the request when needed and that the district plans to provide the form in multiple languages. Legal counsel noted age and presentation context will be relevant when staff evaluate a request; presenters emphasized the district intends to avoid creating barriers to parents while still applying legal criteria.

Trustees asked how staff would judge claims of sincerity, how appeals from denied requests would be handled, and whether the procedure applies to older students who are legally adults. Counsel and staff said districts nationwide are developing similar procedures, that Riverside consulted other districts in drafting the form, and that appeals and follow-up conversations will generally begin with administrative review; staff said they would support parents who need help completing the form. The board did not take a formal vote on the draft; staff said they would post the draft guidance and form and return with implementation details.