OKCPS general counsel outlines new ‘release time’ policy under HB 1425; board to vote in May

General counsel Tony Childers told the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education on April 7 that the district will adopt a policy required by HB 1425 (2024) governing so-called “release time” courses, and the board will consider the policy for a vote at its May meeting.

Why it matters: The policy affects whether students who leave campus during the school day to attend outside religious or moral instruction can be counted as present and whether the outside course can receive elective credit. Board members asked about limits on absence days, oversight, funding restrictions and the lack of an internal appeal process.

Childers said the policy mirrors the statute and follows a standard form used by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. "HB 14 25, which was passed as part of the 2024 legislative session, requires that every school district in the state have this policy for release time courses," he said. He told the board the statute lets districts approve outside courses for elective credit if the…