DISTRICT TO TACKLE RELIGION\Moorpark board to illuminate policy.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

Moorpark Unified School District officials will discuss clarifying the purpose of teaching religion in the classroom during tonight's board meeting.

The proposed resolution - Supporting Education for Citizenship and About Religion in a Diverse Society - specifically states what the district abides by so that parents and community residents will know what is being taught in the classroom.

"The hope is to bring some common understanding to a subject that is often the cause of confusion and concern," said board member David Pollock, who wrote the resolution.

The discussion will be part of the board of trustees meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. at Moorpark City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave.

Pollock decided to write the resolution a couple months ago, after board member Tom Baldwin wanted the board to adopt a policy that set guidelines for religious expression.

Pollock said that he and other members didn't support the policy, because the guidelines were too restrictive.

In accordance with the California Education Code, religion in history is currently taught in social studies classes in Moorpark's nine schools, officials said.

The proposed resolution states that the board "recognizes that an adequate education in American citizenship must include instruction about religions, their significance in history, their sources in culture, their moral and ethical constructs and their living examples among students, teachers, staff, administrators and citizens of our community."

Additionally, it states that the board "affirms that citizenship in a diverse society means living with our deepest differences. . . . that our schools may not inculcate nor inhibit religion."

The resolution also directs the district superintendent to recommend supplemental curriculum and instructional materials related to citizenship and religion to provide additional support in the classroom.