CHAPTER 7 - PERSONNEL
CHAPTER 8 - NEGOTIATIONS
CHAPTER 9 - INSTRUCTION
CHAPTER 10 - STUDENTS CHAPTER 11 - COMMUNICATIONS CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 1 - FOUNDATIONS AND BASIC COMMITMENTS CHAPTER 2 - SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS CHAPTER 3 - SCHOOL DIVISION ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 4 - FISCAL MANAGEMENT CHAPTER 5 - SAFETY SUPPORT SERVICES CONSERVATION CHAPTER 6 - PLANNING AND MAINTAINING THE SCHOOL DIVISION'S PHYSICAL PLANT
CHAPTER 7 - PERSONNEL Section 7.1.1 Definitions Section 7.1.2 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Section 7.1.3 Nepotism Section 7.1.4 Standards of Conduct Section 7.1.5 Communications Between Board and Employees* Section 7.1.6 Conditions of Employment* Section 7.1.7 Compensation* Section 7.1.8 Experience Credit For Starting Salary Purposes Section 7.1.9 Work Schedules* Section 7.1.10 Absence From Work Section 7.1.11 Employee Leave Section 7.1.12 Other Full Time Employee Fringe Benefits Section 7.1.13 Benefits for Part-Time Employees Section 7.1.14 Smoking and Substance Abuse* Section 7.1.15 Personnel Records Section 7.1.16 Evaluation of Employee Performance* Section 7.1.17 Communicable Diseases* Section 7.1.18 Meetings of Employee Groups in School Division Facilities Section 7.1.19 Procedures for Adjusting Employee Grievances Section 7.1.20 Fair Labor Standards Act Compliance* Section 7.1.21 Sexual Harassment* Section 7.1.22 Employee Recognition Program* Section 7.1.23 Substance Abuse Testing Policy for Drivers of Buses and Other Commercial Vehicles* Section 7.1.24:  Sick Leave Bank Section 7.2.1 Contracts With Licensed Employees Section 7.2.2 Probationary Period for New Employees Previously on a Continuing Contract Section 7.2.3 Transfer of Sick Leave for Newly-Hired VDOE Licensed Employees Section 7.2.5 Licensure as a Condition of Employment Section 7.2.6 Substitute Teachers* Section 7.2.7 Assignment and Transfer of Licensed Employees Section 7.2.8 Extracurricular Activities Section 7.2.9 Required Staff Development for Licensed Employees Section 7.2.10 Assignment to Administrative Positions* Section 7.2.11 Reduction in Force of Licensed Employees Section 7.2.12 Suspension of Licensed Employee Section 7.2.13 Dismissal of Licensed Employee Section 7.2.14 Resignation of Licensed Employee Section 7.2.15 Licensed Employee Consulting Activities Section 7.2.16 Tutoring by Licensed Employees Section 7.2.17 Duty-Free Lunch Period for Licensed Employees Section 7.3.1 Administration of Personnel Requiring No License for Employment by the County School Board Section 7.3.3 Assignment and Transfer of Non-Licensed Employees Section 7.3.4 Resignation of Non-Licensed Employees Section 7.3.5 Disciplinary Policy* Section 7.3.6 Reduction in Force of Non-Licensed Employees
CHAPTER 9 - INSTRUCTION Section 9.1 Instruction Section 9.2 Length of Term Section 9.3 Length of School Day, the Duration of Instructional Blocks of Time, and Awarding of Credit* Section 9.4 Organization Section 9.5 Curriculum Section 9.5.1 Curriculum Change Section 9.5.2 Participation in Curriculum Planning Section 9.5.3 Religious Instruction and Released Time Section 9.5.4 Career/Technical Education Section 9.5.5 Music and Art Education Section 9.5.6 Drug Education Section 9.5.7 Family Life Education Section 9.5.8 Driver Education Section 9.5.9 Programs for Students with Disabilities Section 9.5.10 Gifted Education Section 9.5.11 Homebound Instruction* Section 9.5.12 Alternative Education Programs* Section 9.5.13 Summer Academic Programs Section 9.5.14 Extracurricular Activities* Section 9.5.15 Fund Raising Activities Conducted by Schools Section 9.5.16 Sale of Photographs and Related Items to Pupils Section 9.5.17 Interscholastic Athletic Activities Section 9.5.18 Continuing Education Section 9.5.19 Extraordinary Educational Experience* Section 9.5.20 School Guidance and Counseling Section 9.6.1 Class Size Section 9.7.1 Textbooks and Instructional Materials Section 9.7.2 Evaluation and Selection of Instructional Materials and Resources* Section 9.8.1 Teacher Assistants Section 9.8.2 Field Trips* Section 9.8.3 Request for Financial Support for Student Trips Section 9.9.1 Student Evaluation Section 9.9.2 Report Cards Section 9.9.3 Interim Progress Reports Section 9.9.4 Homework Policy* Section 9.9.5 Class Ranking of High School Seniors* Section 9.9.6 Promotion/Retention* Section 9.9.7 Effect of Absences on Promotion Section 9.9.8 Graduation* Section 9.9.9 Commencement Attendance Section 9.9.10 Final Exam Exemptions Section 9.10.1 Testing* Section 9.11.1 Distribution of Non-curricular Materials* Section 9.11.2 State-Mandated Displays Section 9.11.3 Assembly Programs Section 9.11.4 Animals at School Section 9.11.5 Citizenship and Character Education* Section 9.11.6 Alternatives to Animal Dissection Section 9.12 Parental Involvement Policy - Title I* Section 9.13 Instructional Professional Development
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SECTION 9.4 – RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND RELEASED TIME

In accordance with the mandate of the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the establishment of religion it is the policy of this School Board that York County Schools shall be neutral in matters of religion.  This means that York County Schools:  assume no role or responsibility for the religious training of any student; and do not become involved in the religious belief, disbelief or doubt of any student.

This requirement of neutrality need not preclude nor hinder York County Schools in fulfilling their responsibility to educate students to be tolerant and respectful of religious diversity.  The division also recognizes that one of its educational roles is to advance the students’ knowledge and appreciation of religious diversity.

Therefore, the division shall approach religion from an objective, curriculum-related perspective, encouraging all students and staff members to be aware of the diversity of beliefs and respectful of each other’s religious and/or non-religious views.  In that spirit of respect, students and staff members may be excused from participating in activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs unless there are clear issues of compelling public interest that would prevent it. 

No specific time is set aside in the schools for religious instruction. Pupils are not released during the instructional day for group or individual religious instruction.

This policy will not be interpreted or applied in such a manner as to inhibit or proscribe the traditional use of prayers, religious music, or religious objects or symbols in any secular program sponsored by the division, when such activity does not primarily involve the promotion of religion.

 In planning school calendars, the possible effect of religious holidays on attendance will be taken into account.  When possible, examinations and other major events, such as graduation, should not be scheduled on these holidays.

Students will not be penalized or deprived of make-up opportunities for absences due to religious observances.

The study of religion may be included in the curriculum of the York County School Division.

In accordance with state law, the York County School Board requires a daily observance of one minute of silence in each classroom of the Division.

The State Board of Education Guidelines Concerning Religious Activity in the Public Schools shall be used as the framework for developing Superintendent’s Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures in support of this policy.

ADOPTED:                             June 20, 1988
REVISED:                               April 18, 1994; November 24, 2003, October 24, 2006,  November 27, 2007
RESTATEMENT:                  April 19, 1999
LEGAL REFERENCE:          Code of Virginia, Section 22.1-203; Guidelines
                                                Concerning Religious Activity in the Public Schools
                                                Adopted by the State Board of Education Adopted
                                                June 22, 1995.