Released-Time Seminary

As approved by the Church Board of Education, released-time seminary is established in some areas of the United States and Canada. These classes are held during school hours according to the school’s schedule. The local Church board of education (see below) may approve offering additional classes before or after school when the needs of students justify it.

Local Board of Education

A local Church board of education is established in locations with released-time seminary programs.

The Area Presidency or an assigned Area Seventy assigns a stake responsibility for the board. The stake president may serve as chairman or assign one of his counselors to do so. This chairman oversees seminary programs that are located within the geographic area of the board. Where the board is made up of multiple stakes, each stake may be represented by a member of the stake presidency or a high councilor.

Local board of education meetings should be held once or twice a year. In these meetings, board members do the following:

• Plan for enrolling youth in seminary.
• Approve and correlate calendar items.
• Report on enrollment and attendance trends.
• Coordinate graduations.
• Discuss any challenges facing the seminary programs.

The local board may also discuss items of interest with regard to local institute programs. These boards may meet in conjunction with the institute advisory council (see “Stake Institute”).

A local board of education may also be established where several stakes with seminary classes, home-study classes, or both are in close proximity and have common concerns and challenges.

Seminary Student Council

A seminary student council may be organized where two or more seminary classes meet in a building. This council may consist of a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a limited number of council members as needed. Members of the council are recommended by the faculty and approved, called, and set apart by or under the direction of their stake president.

Members of the seminary student council help teachers do the following:

• Maintain an appropriate spirit in the building.
• Encourage enrollment and attendance in seminary classes.
• Establish positive traditions.
• Plan and conduct limited activities that involve more than one class.

Additional Information

Policies and Procedures

Seminary classes follow policies approved by the Church Board of Education.

Priesthood leaders may access registration, enrollment, and attendance reports through MLS, Leader and Clerk Resources, or seminary personnel.

Activities

Seminary activities should be limited. Activities are normally conducted on seminary class premises and during normal class hours. Any request for exceptions should be approved well in advance by the local board of education.

No money should be collected from students for seminary classes and activities.