Parents, supporters and Lifewise director debate release‑time religious instruction during school day

Several parents at a South Madison Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting criticized Lifewise Academy’s proposal to provide release‑time religious instruction during the school day, saying the program disrupts instructional time and raises safety and curriculum concerns. Adrienne Murphy, identified in the meeting as Lifewise’s program director in Pendleton, and Superintendent Dr. Hall answered questions and described how the district is complying with Indiana law and its own board policy.

Parents at the meeting said Lifewise had been approaching families at two district buildings and asked the board to limit school involvement that would make it easier for students to leave campus for the program. Jennifer True said she was “surprised” to see Lifewise working with two schools, raised concerns about vetting and curriculum, and urged principals not to facilitate student removal. Stacy Milburn said the logistics of removing students during staggered lunches or specials would be disruptive and requested that any such instruction be held after school instead.

The dispute matters because release‑time programs take…