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Parents, retired teachers urge district to limit in-school release time for religious instruction
Summary
Three community speakers raised concerns about release time for religious instruction and a proposed Lifewise program during non-agenda public comment, citing separation of church and state and potential impacts on students who leave campus during the school day.
Three members of the public told the Peninsula School District board on Aug. 26 that they opposed release-time religious instruction during the school day and asked the board to keep any such program from occurring on campus during instructional hours.
Jackie Pinkerton, a parent at Discovery Elementary, thanked the board for scheduling additional study sessions and town-hall forums and said she appreciated the district’s responsiveness after questions arose at the prior meeting. “I just want to state a positive affirmation — thank you for hearing that feedback,” Pinkerton said.
Doug Perry, a retired Peninsula School District teacher, told the board he was concerned about separation of church and state and urged the district to rely on the constitutional principles of both the free-exercise and non-imposition clauses when considering release-time programs. “I think it’s so important,” Perry said, referencing his experience teaching and studying the religion clauses in the First Amendment.
Linda Carlie, who said she taught in the district for 20 years, urged the board not to allow a program she described as divisive to take place during the school day. “It’s imperative that we not allow this divisive program to take place during the school day,” Carlie told the board, saying regular removal of students from the shared classroom environment would have “significant and serious impact” on participants and nonparticipants.
Board members did not make a decision on the Lifewise or release-time matter at the meeting. The board moderator reminded the public that the district has posted a statement and related policies on the district website, including Board Policy 1400 (meeting conduct) and referenced OSPI guidance and Washington state laws concerning release time for religious instruction. The moderator encouraged residents to consult those materials for current legal guidance.
Discussion versus decision: the public comments were made during the non-agenda comment period and reflect community views and concerns; the board did not take formal action, and no policy change was reported during the meeting.
The board noted it will hold a study session and a community open-house forum on Sept. 9 where topics including community concerns may be further discussed.
