The Ocean City School District Board of Education meeting on November 22, 2024, featured significant discussions regarding the potential introduction of religious instruction during school hours, specifically through the LifeWise program. Community members expressed strong opinions on the matter, highlighting concerns about the separation of church and state.

Pamela Womble, a resident of Ocean City, voiced her apprehensions about the LifeWise curriculum, which aims to teach biblical lessons alongside values such as gratitude and compassion. While acknowledging the positive intentions behind the program, Womble argued that religious education should occur outside of school settings, emphasizing that parents should take the lead in their children's religious upbringing. She underscored the importance of maintaining the constitutional principle of separating church and state, which protects individual rights and religious liberty.

Another resident, Carrie Treasure, echoed Womble's sentiments, stating that public schools are not the appropriate venue for religious instruction. She suggested that if religion were to be taught in schools, it should encompass a broader perspective, such as comparative religions or the sociology of religion, rather than focusing on a single faith. Treasure warned that teaching one particular religion could be divisive and unconstitutional.

The discussions at the meeting reflect a community grappling with the implications of integrating religious education into public schooling, raising questions about inclusivity and constitutional rights. The board's next steps regarding the LifeWise program remain to be seen as they consider the feedback from concerned residents.