Tecumseh schools debate policy on LifeWise religion program

LifeWise has asked the district to allow its offsite, during-the-school-day instruction, but the school board is unlikely to vote until January
Tecumseh Local School District Board of Education held a meeting on Nov. 19 to discuss items including arming staff and the released time for religious instruction policy. Brooke Spurlock/Staff

Tecumseh Local School District Board of Education held a meeting on Nov. 19 to discuss items including arming staff and the released time for religious instruction policy. Brooke Spurlock/Staff

The Tecumseh public school district is weighing how to handle “released time for religious instruction” after a few months of back-and-forth discussion over a proposal from the LifeWise religious education group.

A discussion during the September school board meeting included a request from LifeWise to offer their Christian religion program to students in the district.

For years, Tecumseh has had a policy that states the district “may” permit students to leave during the school day to receive religious instruction, under certain conditions, said Superintendent Paula Crew.

That policy was on the October board meeting agenda for discussion, and Crew said a motion to rescind the policy was approved by the board. After the meeting, LifeWise reached out to the district with concerns, and Crew said “to ensure Robert’s Rules of Order were followed correctly,” the policy was put back on the November agenda for a review.

Many LifeWise supporters attended the November board meeting, and the school board decided to revisit the policy again in December.

The school district’s long-held policy on released time for religious instruction closely mirrors state law (Ohio Revised Code 3313.6022).

It says students may leave school property during the school day to attend a religion course from a private entity as long as the parent gives consent, the student makes up any missed work, the religion group assumes liability, takes attendance and shares that information with the school district.

The policy says the school board will not spend funds on the religion program or provide transportation, that students will not be excused from “core” classes, and that staff members shall not promote or discourage participation.

Tecumseh Local School District Board of Education held a meeting on Nov. 19 to discuss items including arming staff and the released time for religious instruction policy. Brooke Spurlock/Staff

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At their November meeting, Tecumseh school board President Sue Anne Martin and the other four board members weighed three options — modify the current policy to allow students to be excused only during lunch or recess, rescind the entire policy, or suspend the policy until they know more about the state legislature’s plans for changes about religious instruction.

“There is current legislation being discussed in the Lame Duck session which may change requirements for school districts to a ‘shall’ (instead of the current ‘may’ release) regarding release time for religious purposes,” Crew said. “The board of education members are waiting for this information to help with their decision on this particular policy.”

The board passed a unanimous motion in November to suspend the policy until they know more information and bring it back for discussion in January. The next board meetings are 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, both at Tecumseh High School.

“It gives us time to see what our state legislature is going to mandate and then we can go from there,” Martin said.

At least 40 people attended the November meeting that addressed Lifewise and released time for religious instruction in general, with 14 people speaking out (nine in favor and five against).

Across many local school districts, LifeWise supporters have praised the program’s aim to build “positive character traits” in students and to give families more choices. Some parents like the ease of school-day access, rather than finding evening or weekend classes like “CCD,” as past generations have done.

LifeWise opponents mention negatives such as participating students missing classes like art, music or gym; and that the students who don’t go are left with a diminished experience in those classes (no large-group singing or playing team games). Some have said the LifeWise curriculum may not match the inclusive goals of schools, or that the program can create another potential division in schools between kids who are in or out.

Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy, poses at LifeWise Academy offices Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Hilliard, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Jacquelyn Mann, a Medway resident with a son in the district, spoke about supporting the policy and that it “supports the diverse needs of all religious families.”

“Released time is a time-honored practice that respects the rights of parents and supports the comprehensive development of students,” she said. “As a parent, this policy directly impacts my family’s ability to allow our son to receive education that supports our family’s values, religious beliefs and reinforces his sense of community by adding trusted adults to his inner circle.”

Mann said program officials have reported they were able to provide food for children “who ask for prayer when their refrigerator was empty” or have been able to provide medication “for a grandmother who had no way to afford it” until a children brought the concern up to LifeWise staff.

“This program provides the unique opportunity for students to share their prayer requests that allows us to serve one another and our community in a profound way,” Mann said.

Courtney Wilson, who lives in New Carlisle and is a LifeWise program director, said it’s more about parent choice.

“Just like parents choose their kids to be in ROTC, Muse Machine, band, choir, all of those things, this is an additional choice,” she said. “I would just really urge you to think about the parents, and it’s their ability to choose. Some parents don’t want this, for those kids that’s absolutely fine, but some really do.”

Carol Strayer, who has lived in the district since the 1960s and has served on the board at her church for several years, is concerned about the policy.

“I am concerned that the time taken from our education will be lost time ... I know the core classes are off-limits but I’m also concerned the students will miss classes that allow them to be more well-rounded students,” Strayer said. “When will students make up missed work? Are teachers going to be required to give individualized lessons to bring students up to speed? There are already barely enough hours in the day to implement the state-mandated treatment.”

Megan Bettelon said she is concerned about the disruption of the school day that would happen when students enter and leave the classroom, the students who have opted out of the program, safety issues with students going offsite, liability concerns and requirements, and the use of recruitment tactics and peer pressure for those who don’t participate in the program.

“I do believe that parents who desire to have their children to have religious instruction should do so during non-school hours,” she said. “… I believe that having this program during the day, such a large program gives the impression that the school does enforce it and gives approval of the curriculum. ... I would encourage you to stand with your decision to rescind the policy,” she said.

Other schools that have a released time for religious instruction policy include Clark-Shawnee, Graham, Mechanicsburg, Urbana, Triad, who all have a local LifeWise chapter, as well as Southeastern.

Greenon and Northwestern does not have the policy, but allow three religious relief days. Northeastern does not have the policy because “the opportunity has not presented itself, nor have we received any specific requests from parents,” according to district officials.

New Carlisle Elementary School. Contributed

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