Board unanimously approves religious-exemption request after closed session

The school board convened a closed meeting under the provisions of a closed-meeting statute read into the record (section 2.2-3711) and subsequently approved a religious-exemption request.

On a motion made and seconded on the record, the board entered closed session to "consideration of personnel matters including the assignment, performance, and resignation of specific school employees" and to "consider creation of request for religious exemption for school attendance" as cited in the motion. The motion to enter closed session was recorded on the transcript as made by Doctor Cotton and seconded by Miss Boone and passed by roll-call vote; the chair announced the closed meeting began at 05:55.

After the closed session the board returned to open session and took up agenda item 5.1, consideration of religious-exemption case number 2025-26/06. A motion to approve the exemption was made by Miss Boone and seconded by Doctor Walker. Roll-call votes announced on the record show the motion carried unanimously. The clerk recorded the poll as unanimous in the transcript.

The record shows the board relied on the closed-meeting provision cited at the meeting to discuss personnel and the exemption request. The transcript does not supply additional details about the exemption request itself (such as the student name, underlying reasons beyond "religious exemption," or any staff recommendations); those details were not specified on the public record provided here.

The board returned to routine business after the vote and proceeded to other agenda items.