Board to Support Religious Resolution

Simi Valley school trustees have moved one step closer to passing a much-debated resolution clarifying what teachers can say about religion in the classroom.

On Tuesday, they agreed to throw their support behind a resolution that incorporates existing district policy with a statement by President Clinton that begins, “Nothing in the 1st Amendment converts our public schools into religious-free zones, or requires all religious expression to be left behind at the schoolhouse door.”

The resolution, which is yet to be voted on, replaces one brought to the board last month by trustee Norman Walker, a Baptist minister.

Walker said he introduced the resolution--a copy of one adopted by Moorpark Unified School District in February--to bring attention to the issue.

But some trustees initially opposed the resolution, saying it brought nothing new to the district policy, which already allows schools to teach about the role of religion in art, literature, culture and history lessons.

Others objected to a clause in the resolution that said teachers may instruct students on religion and moral conviction, using themselves or others as “living examples” in the community.

So trustee Diane Collins drafted a second resolution that focused on the district’s current policy and omitted references to “living examples” of religious and moral conviction.

After nearly 20 residents spoke in favor of such a resolution, trustees agreed to support Collins’ resolution.