KRS § 158.175 — KY Code / Title XIII / Chapter 158 / Section 158.175
158.175 Recitation of Lord's prayer and pledge of allegiance -- Instruction in proper respect for and display of the flag -- Observation of moment of silence or reflection
Status: in_force

158.175 Recitation of Lord's prayer and pledge of allegiance -- Instruction in

proper respect for and display of the flag -- Observation of moment of silence

or reflection.

(1) As a continuation of the policy of teaching our country's history and as an

affirmation of the freedom of religion in this country, the board of education of a

local school district may authorize the recitation of the traditional Lord's prayer and

the pledge of allegiance to the flag in public elementary schools. Pupil participation

in the recitation of the prayer and pledge of allegiance shall be voluntary. Pupils

shall be reminded that this Lord's prayer is the prayer our pilgrim fathers recited

when they came to this country in their search for freedom. Pupils shall be informed

that these exercises are not meant to influence an individual's personal religious

beliefs in any manner. The exercises shall be conducted so that pupils shall learn of

our great freedoms, including the freedom of religion symbolized by the recitation

of the Lord's prayer.

(2) The board of education of each school district shall establish a policy and develop

procedures whereby the pupils in each elementary and secondary school may

participate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States at the

commencement of each school day.

(3) The Kentucky Board of Education shall develop a program of instruction relating to

the flag of the United States of America, including instruction in etiquette, the

correct use and display of the flag, and other patriotic exercises as may be related.

This program of instruction shall be provided to each public school for use in its

course of instruction. The program of instruction, at a minimum, shall include the

provisions of 4 U.S.C. secs. 1 to 3 and 4 U.S.C. secs. 5 to 9.

(4) The board of education of each local school district may purchase or otherwise

acquire and provide for display in each classroom copies of the Declaration of

Independence, the Gettysburg Address, and other documents the local board deems

significant to the history of Kentucky and the United States.

(5) (a) The board of education of each local school district shall establish a policy

and develop procedures whereby, at the commencement of the first class of

each day in all public schools, there shall be a moment of silence or reflection

of at least one (1) minute, but not to exceed two (2) minutes, in duration.

(b) The policy required in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall ensure that all

pupils remain seated and silent and make no distracting display so that each

pupil may, in the exercise of his or her individual choice, meditate, pray, or

engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract from,

or impede other pupils' exercise of individual choice. The policy shall prohibit

district personnel from providing instruction to any student regarding the

nature of any reflection that a student may engage in during the moment of

silence or reflection. The policy shall require notification be sent to parents or

guardians providing information on the policy and encouraging parents and

guardians to provide guidance to their pupils regarding the moment of silence

or reflection.