Johnson v. Prince William County School Board

Code § 22.1-257(A)(2), part of the compulsory school attendance law (Code §§ 22.1-254 to -269), provides that “[a] school board . . . [sjhall excuse from attendance at school any pupil who, together with his parents, by reason of bona fide religious training or belief, is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school.” On October 12, 1988, the School Board of Prince William County (the School Board or the Board) denied the application of F. Tracy Johnson and Kathleen Johnson (the Johnsons) for religious exemption from attendance at school for their two sons, Jelfrey, aged six, and Brandon,…