In Utah, according to yesterday's Salt Lake Tribune, it is common for high school students to take advantage of the state's released time program to enroll in LDS seminary classes that are offered in LDS Church-owned buildings near public high schools. Last year over half of Utah's high school students were enrolled in LDS seminary classes. The Canyons (UT) school district is building a new $55 million high school, and an adjacent parcel of land has long been designated as "seminary" on architectural plans with school board officials assuming it would be used by a religious organization of a released-time program. The LDS Church has expressed some interest in buying the land. Now, however, the Summum movement has inquired about purchasing the land to build its first seminary. It wants to use the seminary for a released time program that teaches "the principles of the universe."
UPDATE: The Salt Lake Tribune (Aug. 17) reports that the Canyons school board has decided not to sell the land to anyone for a seminary.
