Several Grandview Heights residents urged the City Council on Nov. 24 to rescind a financial sponsorship from LifeWise Academy for the citys Holiday in the Heights event, saying the groups curriculum and volunteer practices introduce religious advocacy into a municipal celebration.

Director Adam Maxwell opened the public-comment portion with a prepared statement acknowledging community concern and saying the city will review its sponsorship policies. "The legal landscape around issues such as the First Amendment is rapidly evolving, and the city cannot discriminate in its decision making," Maxwell said, adding the administration will evaluate policy changes and keep council apprised.

Residents described concrete harms they attributed to LifeWise Academy. "This is a group that engages in book banning," said Terry Issel, who urged the city to return the sponsorship money and "pledge to have no further relationship with a group that clearly stands in opposition to Grandview's ethos of equality and inclusion." Pia Wolf urged the council to adopt a content-neutral ban on sponsorships from all 501(c)(3) organizations to avoid viewpoint-based claims, saying such a policy would apply equally to religious and political groups.

Other speakers described reported effects on students and community cohesion. Andrew Lieber said freedom of expression "does not mean anytime, anywhere," and argued the city need not platform controversial groups at a municipal event. Jenna Beacon cited concerns about LifeWises curriculum and volunteer vetting, and a speaker recorded as Sandra Meggert warned that "the damage is done," saying residents already feel marginalized by the sponsorship.

Council members responded that the topic requires careful study. One council member with fundraising experience suggested codifying a sponsorship policy that limits signature city-event sponsorships to corporate/business donors rather than to 501(c)(3) organizations, to reduce controversy and provide clearer rules for future administrations. A council member cited current sponsorship revenue in the record as "30 to $50 a year," but did not clarify units or whether those figures are in dollars, thousands, or another scale.

No formal action to rescind the LifeWise Academy sponsorship was taken at the meeting. Director Maxwell and council members said any policy changes would be prospective and would be developed with counsel review and further public input.

The council received written and in-person comments and indicated it will continue evaluating sponsorship rules and related policies; there was no vote recorded on the specific sponsorship itself.