Board gives temporary approval to release‑time religious instruction policy after debate over background checks

The New Philadelphia City Board of Education gave temporary approval to a substitute for board policy J E F B, governing release‑time religious instruction (RTRI), after an extended discussion about background checks, Rapback enrollment and how the policy compares with the district’s volunteer rules.

Board member Schrock moved to replace the policy on the agenda with the substitute that had been distributed to board members earlier; the motion received a second and passed on a roll call vote. The temporary approval will be revisited for a final vote at next Monday’s regular meeting, per board procedure.

Board members and staff spent most of the discussion on vetting and monitoring requirements for sponsoring entities and their volunteers. District staff explained that the substitute requires sponsoring entities to provide the district with both BCI (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation) and FBI records…