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OKCPS board adopts state-mandated ‘release time’ policy after hour-long debate; 4–3 vote
Summary
The board adopted new policy I-29 on release time courses required by state law, which allows students to be excused for off-campus religious or moral instruction and permits awarding elective credit if a course meets neutral criteria. Trustees split 4–3 amid concerns about First Amendment risks, K–12 scope, and background checks.
The Oklahoma City Public Schools board voted 4–3 to adopt a new release-time policy (policy I-29) that implements a recently passed state law allowing students to be excused from classes to attend off-campus religious or moral instruction and, in some cases, to receive elective credit.
General counsel Tony Childers led the board through the policy’s text and the statute’s requirements. Childers said the policy mirrors the law and uses “neutral criteria” the district must apply when deciding whether an outside course can be accepted for elective credit. Those criteria include course contact hours, syllabus, assessment methods and instructor qualifications, but the statute does not require outside instructors to be district-licensed.
Board members who opposed the policy said the statute is broad and could allow groups to offer instruction the district would find objectionable. Board member Jessica Cifuentes said she opposed adopting I-29 “as is” because the law is “too broad and open ended” and because she worried the district could be required to excuse students from tested classes or allow credit even for students failing core courses.
Childers said the statute requires a liability waiver and places attendance-reporting and, if credit is sought, transcript requirements on the outside entity. He told trustees that failure to adopt a required policy could create accreditation deficiencies and expose the district to litigation.
Other trustees asked whether the law applies only to high school; Childers said the statute does not limit release time to a grade band. Several trustees pressed about background checks for outside instructors; Childers said the statute does not impose a background-check requirement on outside entities and that a parent checking a child out remains responsible for the off-campus supervision.
Chair Paula Lewis made the motion to adopt I-29 and Vice Chair Laurie Bowman seconded. After discussion and a pop-up roll call, the clerk recorded 4 aye votes and 3 nays; the motion carried.
