Florida school boards are being reminded they must make room for students who want to leave campus during the school day for religious instruction.
A new legal opinion from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Tuesday says districts are required to accommodate what’s known as “release time” programs. These allow students, with permission from their parents, to step away from school for a period of time to receive religious education off campus.
school boards are being reminded they must make room for students who want to leave campus during the school day for religious instruction.on Tuesday says districts are required to accommodate what’s known as “release time” programs. These allow students, with permission from their parents, to step away from school for a period of time to receive religious education off campus.
The key message is: parents have the right to guide their children’s religious upbringing, and public schools have to respect that.
“School boards have a duty to respect the rights of parents to direct the religious upbringing of their children,” Uthmeier stated. In practical terms, that doesn’t mean schools have to run or pay for religious programs. They don’t. But they do need to work with families to allow students to participate if they choose.
Release time programs have been around for decades and are used in different parts of the country. Typically, students leave campus during a free period or designated time block, attend religious instruction somewhere nearby, then return to school. The programs are voluntary and require parental consent.
The Florida Attorney General's opinion makes clear that as long as these programs are handled properly, meaning they’re privately run, off school grounds, and don’t disrupt normal school operations, districts should not stand in the way. At the same time, school boards aren’t responsible for transportation or funding. Those details fall on families or the organizations running the programs. What schools are expected to do is allow reasonable flexibility in things like attendance policies and scheduling.
Supporters say this is about protecting religious freedom and giving parents more control over their children’s education. They argue that schools shouldn’t block families from including faith-based learning as part of their child’s day. Still, there are some concerns. School officials often have to figure out how to manage schedules, avoid disruptions to classroom instruction, and make sure students who stay on campus aren’t negatively affected.
There can also be questions about fairness and logistics, especially in larger districts. Uthmeier's opinion doesn’t force districts to create release time programs. Instead, it lays out how they should respond if parents or organizations request them. Ignoring or denying those requests outright could open the door to legal challenges.
For school districts across Florida, the takeaway is that they may need to review their current policies. That could mean setting clear rules on how students can participate, how absences are handled, and how to keep the school day running smoothly for everyone. At its core, the guidance reinforces a balance: public schools must stay neutral on religion, but they can’t interfere with a family’s right to practice it.
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