Is LifeWise religious program making inroads in Summit County public school districts?

An Ohio House proposal to require school districts to adopt policies that allow students to be released from school for religious instruction has focused attention on an organization that has rapidly grown its school presence in recent years.

LifeWise, based in Hilliard, Ohio, has been particularly successful expanding its bible-study program, reaching agreements with more than 300 schools in 12 states. More than 170 Ohio school districts participate — about one-fourth of the state's districts.

The proposed Ohio House legislation would change current law that permits schools to release students during school days for off-grounds religious instruction.

LifeWise's program , despite its rapid growth, is far from universally accepted.

Opposition to LifeWise in Revere Local School District

Locally, the program received vocal opposition during the May 21 meeting of the Revere Local School District Board of Education. Several opponents of LifeWise spoke out against it.

More: ‘Give them hope’: How Bible study is becoming part of the day for some public school kids

"To this date, Dr. (Michael) Tefs has not brought any recommendation for the board to consider or adopt a memorandum of understanding with any religious group, including LifeWise," board President Keith Malick said at the meeting.

Bath resident Noah Turner was one of those who spoke, arguing that the program blurs the line between separation of church and state. He said the program could create conflict in Revere schools.

"Implementation of LifeWise Academy's programs could lead to significant social divisions among students," Turner said. "By pulling students out of regular classes… for religious instruction we risk creating an 'in' group of participants and an 'out' group of non-participants."

A change.org petition that was started May 8 against forming an agreement between the district and LifeWise has accumulated 1,574 signatures as of noon Sunday.

"Besides the disruptions to the teachers/staff/students and overall flow of the day that would occur by having groups of students leaving the school once a week for nonacademic purposes, we also have larger concerns of bullying, manipulation, and religious harassment of the students," the petition reads.

Daniel White, the incoming superintendent who begins Aug. 1, said Friday in an email that no agreement exists between LifeWise and the school board. No vote has been taken and none is scheduled, he said.

LifeWise founder Joel Penton says program spurs character development

Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise, said Thursday in a phone interview that the program is voluntary and designed, in part, to help build positive character traits in students. Penton said the program's rapid growth is a demonstration it's meeting a need.

"Parents desperately wanted a program like this," he said. "They didn't know it was possible."

Penton said an October 2023 report tracking the progress of students in the program showed increases in attendance and a decrease in school suspensions.

"We see students growing in their character development," he said.

Although LifeWise has expanded rapidly, it isn't a household name in some school districts.

Other local school districts don't have deal with LifeWise

LifeWise officials say parents have expressed interest in bringing the program to several Summit districts, including Akron, Copley-Fairlawn, Green, Hudson and Stow-Munroe Falls. Districts reached by the Beacon Journal for this story, however, said they have not established significant ties with the organization.

Mark Williamson, director of marketing communications for the Akron City School District, said in an email Thursday that district officials were unfamiliar with the program.

"We are not working with them and have received no requests from our public or non-public schools to use federal funds to support this program," he said.

In the Manchester Local School District, retiring Superintendent James Robinson said Thursday the district has no agreement with LifeWise or similar programs.

"It's not something that we've done at this time," he said Thursday. "Our focus at this point is getting our new building construction completed."

Hudson City Schools Superintendent Dana Addis said in an email that the district does not have a program agreement with, and has not been approached by, LifeWise or similar programs.

Penton said LifeWise counts on local support to grow its program, requiring a step-by-step procedure before it approaches district officials. He said participation in the program is voluntary.

"At the end of the day, I would encourage (parents) to make whatever choice is right for their family," he said. "(But) don't make choices for other families."

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Is LifeWise religious program making inroads in Summit County public school districts?