The district school board has invited students to spend an hour a week at churches learning about religion, a plan that is prompting questions from parents.
If enough students are interested, the “Religious Release Program” would go into effect in September, said board Vice President Jody Hahn.
“With everything that’s happening in schools, we see this as a chance to do something for the students besides metal detectors and drug dogs,” Hahn said.
In a May 5 letter to parents, the Augusta School District told parents students would be bused each Friday to churches for 50 minutes of religious instruction, then bused back to school.
Students who do not participate would be in study hall.
The letter was sent by Supt. Fred Brown and said, “the religious instruction program will enrich the lives of our children.”
Some parents object to the program, saying it would leave some students out, force others to attend different parishes than their families, or usurp parents’ responsibilities.
State law allows public schools to excuse individual students from class for religious purposes. However, federal school funds cannot be used for bus transportation, said Greg Doyle of the state Department of Public Instruction.
