Board approves religious exemptions and a release from compulsory attendance for specified student cases

Summary

On Jan. 22 the Henrico County School Board approved two requests for release from compulsory attendance based on bona fide religious beliefs (student case numbers 25-26-RE-8 and 25-26-RE-9) and one release request (25-26-CAD-1). Approvals were made by voice vote; student names were withheld under Virginia FOIA protections.

During the Jan. 22 work session, the school board considered and approved requests from the superintendent's office for release from compulsory attendance and for religious exemptions for specified students.

The superintendent's staff recommended approval of religious-exemption requests for student case numbers 25-26-RE-8 and 25-26-RE-9 on the basis of bona fide religious beliefs; board members moved, seconded and approved the recommendation by voice vote. Staff later presented a request for release from compulsory attendance for case number 25-26-CAD-1; that request was similarly moved, seconded and approved. The board and staff emphasized that the names of students are protected under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and therefore not disclosed in the public transcript.

These actions were presented as noncontroversial consent items during the superintendent's section of the agenda and were approved without recorded roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript.

What happens next: The approvals are recorded in the board's minutes; no further action was indicated at the meeting.