Worthington Schools is questioning the policy allowing LifeWise amid pending Statehouse legislation

The Worthington City Schools board on Wednesday reconsidered its policy to allow organizations to teach the Bible or other religions during the school day, in the shadow of upcoming Statehouse legislation that would require all districts to allow such religious education programs .

Dozens of residents and LifeWise supporters and opponents, dressed in red and black respectively, stormed the Worthington City Schools as the board debated whether to continue the district’s religious release policy. Board members unanimously expressed concern about the policy, but said they would have to wait to see if the state Legislature would pass a bill during its lame duck session that would mandate a policy.

More: Ohio Legislature considers requiring schools to allow LifeWise like Worthington to debate policy

Board President Nikki Hudson said she believed local government mattered, and the state should not take away their ability to legislate these issues.

“Sitting here now and listening to our community members … I feel like we’re taking a harder path and making decisions that are good for our community,” Hudson said. “That’s what we should be able to do with local government – ​​that’s why we have school boards – and make a decision.”

The religious release time allows students to leave during the day for religious instruction, usually during an elective or lunch. LifeWise, a Hilliard-based organization that teaches students the Bible during the school day, is one of the largest users of religious release time in the state.

Earlier this month, the Worthington school board said at a meeting that they would “holistically” review the district’s religious release policy, with the board’s chairman suggesting there was a possibility of rescinding it, The Dispatch previously reported.

Worthington’s administration is concerned about its religious release policy

During the meeting, board members seemed unanimously concerned about the district’s religious release policy.

Member Stephanie Harless expressed concerns about student safety, disruptions to the school day and whether religious release programs could be scaled up if more programs eventually come into the district.

“Nothing I will talk about in the future has anything to do with what an organization does or does not teach what their perspectives are, that is not my responsibility as a board member,” Harless said. “We must establish policies and support district goals to ensure we have an equitable district where all students can reach their potential.”

Hudson said that while a number of public speakers said LifeWise teaches children important character-building skills such as kindness, respect and obedience, the district already focuses on building students’ character.

“I want to say that the idea that within Worthington we’re not already working on character traits, we’re not already working on putting kindness first, is honestly a little insulting,” Hudson said.

The Statehouse debate over mandatory religious release policy hangs over decision-making

On Tuesday, the Ohio House of Representatives heard testimony from opponents on House Bill 445, which would require Ohio school districts to require religious release policies.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, is currently being heard in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee. Click previously told The Dispatch that “what ultimately matters is religious freedom” and parents’ choice to send their children to a religious release program.

Click said it is “unknown” whether his bill will pass during the current legislative session, which ends at the end of the calendar year. However, board members said Wednesday that they had heard from lawmakers this week that it was likely the legislation would pass.

Member Amber Epling-Skinner said she was concerned about what the consequences would be if the district moved to rescind the policy and the state legislature then forced them to reinstate it.

“It’s a little worrying to make us a target. It’s a little worrying to make us a rim shot if it ultimately works out,” Epling-Skinner said. “I don’t know what performative PR is doing there either.”

Hudson, who submitted opposing testimony to HB 445, said the board could consider voting on a resolution to be sent to the Statehouse opposing mandatory release policy legislation.

“I would strongly encourage our community to make their voices heard at the Statehouse, and if you have already done so, to simply continue to do so so that control over policies like this, like this, remains with local government. level,” said Hudson.

Residents and parents differ on religious release policies

Parents, residents and opponents of LifeWise gathered at the school board meeting, wearing red or black to show their support or opposition, respectively, to religious release.

Gretchen Chan, a LifeWise instructor, said the existing religious release policy is “a way to honor both religious freedom and parental rights in our community.”

“A release policy is a positive step that reflects the school district’s commitment to respecting religious freedom and the diverse needs of families,” Chan said.

Amy Davis, a Worthington resident, said she was concerned about religious release.

“We all have the right to practice and teach our children any religion, but with that parental right comes parental responsibility that the parents stand up and do it, and not push it off on an already overloaded school day,” says Davis. said.

Westerville previously rescinded its religious release policy

In early October, the Westerville City School Board voted unanimously with one abstention to rescind its religious release policy, with the board’s chairman emphasizing that the decision was not against any religion but citing a potential for significant disruption if more organizations would enter the district for religious release. .

The Westerville board vote came after more than two hours of public comments from speakers and followed multiple gatherings with packed crowds and public testimony. During the discussions, LifeWise supporters wore red, while many in the opposition wore black, and their comments were met with applause from their respective parties.

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

@Colebehr_report

This article originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch: Worthington Schools weighs policy for LifeWise during Statehouse debate