Superintendent reintroduces religious-excusal policy change and lists recent donations

During the superintendent's report on May 21, Tim Winter brought several policies to the board's attention and described an edit to Policy 23-40 addressing religious-related activities and practices.

Tim said Section I of Policy 23-40 allows a student, at a parent's request, to be excused for religious instruction for part of a school day provided the activity is not conducted on school property. He said a two-day limit that had been included at a prior meeting was removed because the limit seemed unnecessarily restrictive; the policy was returned to the agenda with that adjustment.

Tim also listed additional WASDA model policies on the agenda: Policy 65-30 (workers' compensation claims) and Policy 6800 (operations and maintenance of school property).

In the same report Tim read a list of community donations the district received including a $2,900 monetary donation from the South Kitsap Dance Team Boosters to South Kitsap High School dance ASB, $1,558.23 from the Orchard Heights PTSO for a table, an estimated $3,750 material donation to the Native American Alaska Native program, $1,495.58 from Northwest Designs to Marcus Whitman Middle School wrestling, $1,000 from the Sydney Glenn PTO for a first-grade field trip, $19,264.64 from South Kitsap Public Education Foundation to the district CTE aviation program (reimbursement for purchases), and $5,000 from the Foundation to Olalla Elementary for inclusive playground equipment.

Ending: The policy adjustment removes a two-day cap on excusal for off-campus religious instruction and a set of donations were publicly recorded; the board did not take further action on those items at the meeting.