Oldham County School Board votes 5-0 to deny Lifewise Academy request for in‑school moral instruction under KRS 158.200

The Oldham County School Board voted 5-0 Wednesday, Oct. 8, at a special meeting at the Arvin Education Center to deny Lifewise Academy’s application to provide moral instruction to students during the school day under KRS 158.200.

Board members cited logistical burdens for school offices and teachers, potential lost instructional time for students, and liability and precedent concerns in explaining the unanimous decision. The motion to deny the Lifewise application was made by Miss Sheffer and seconded by Miss Henley; the vote was recorded as 5-0.

Board members said the conversation was driven in part by changes to state law. One board member noted that the recent amendment to the release-time statute, cited in the meeting as KRS 158.200, altered prior language and has created new requirements that local districts must interpret. “The 2025 General Assembly appointed itself as the gatekeeper of moral instruction, adding unnecessary layers of government…