I. Leadership and Staff Notification
It is the policy of Maquoketa Valley Community School District that the superintendent of the school district shall annually distribute the most recent version of the “Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression” produced by the U.S. Department of Education, and distributed by the Iowa Department of Education, to each board member, principal, and teacher.
II. Constitutionally Protected Prayer
It is the policy of Maquoketa Valley Community School District to allow students and staff to engage in constitutionally protected prayer within the district schools consistent with applicable statutory or case law pertaining to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Accordingly, no board policy will prevent, or otherwise deny participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in district schools, consistent with federal law.
III. Grading Standards
It is the policy of Maquoketa Valley Community School District that religious content in student assignments will be evaluated using the same academic grading standards applied to secular work.
IV. Student Organizations
It is the policy of Maquoketa Valley Community School District that religious student organizations have the same rights, access to facilities, and institutional support as secular student clubs.
V. Professional Development
It is the policy of Maquoketa Valley Community School District to offer professional development opportunities to each employee of the school district or charter school regarding constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public elementary and secondary schools.
VI. Concerns
Concerns may be directed to the district civil rights coordinator.
Approved 10/12/2026
Reviewed ______
Revised ____________
