LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The head of Jefferson County Public Schools has sent out a reminder to staff about rules regarding religion in the curriculum after a meeting that sparked some concern.

Donna Hargens, superintendent of Jefferson County schools, told The Courier-Journal ( http://cjky.it/YHqqqG) the district received some questions after a Christian educator support group leased school space for a meeting.

Hargens said the event was not sponsored by the district.

"JCPS, through board policy, allows community groups, religious and nonreligious, to use district facilities after school hours," Hargens said.

The meeting by the Louisville Area Christian Educator Support group was held last week in a public school auditorium to provide information about religious rights and instructional strategies. About 100 people attended.

Hargens said LACES applied for the facility use and paid a fee.

The event featured retired Southeast Christian Church Senior Minister Bob Russell and was organized in part by retired JCPS administrator Joe Burks and Bryce Hibbard, the principal at Southern High School in Louisville.

Hargens said she reminded principals that public school employees are required to remain neutral concerning religion while carrying out their duties as public school employees, and that public schools may teach students about religion in appropriate courses, such as world history and literature, as long as such studies are academic and not devotional.

Honi Goldman, a community activist, said the event was troubling on several fronts.

"The problem still remains that with all the JCPS current and former staff organizing this and future events, that it gives the perception that JCPS is indeed promoting this," she said.

Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com