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Residents urge Grandview Heights to reject LifeWise Academy sponsorship of Holiday in the Heights
Summary
Residents filled a Nov. 24 special council meeting to urge the city to return a LifeWise Academy sponsorship for Holiday in the Heights, arguing the group's activities and affiliations are divisive; Director Adam Maxwell said the city will review sponsorship policies but must consider First Amendment limits.
Dozens of Grandview Heights residents urged the City Council on Nov. 24 to withdraw a LifeWise Academy sponsorship from Holiday in the Heights, saying the organization's programs and affiliations make its participation inappropriate for a city-sponsored, family-focused event.
"This is a group that engages in book banning," said Terry Issel of 906 Copeland Road, who told council members the group is monitored by the Southern Poverty Law Center and alleged links to the "Center for Christian Values." Several speakers said LifeWise promotes evangelism in public schools and pressures students who do not participate.
Director Adam Maxwell, reading a prepared administration statement, acknowledged the range of community reactions but warned that sponsorship decisions implicate constitutional protections. "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 that the administration will "continue to evaluate its sponsorship policies and will keep city council apprised of any policy changes."
Several speakers asked the city to adopt a neutral, content-agnostic policy that would bar sponsorships from some or all 501(c)(3) organizations or to restrict sponsorships to corporate/business donors. Pia Wolf (1049 Broadview Ave) urged a policy that would "apply equally to every group and eliminate the risk of viewpoint-based claims." Jenna Beacon (1070 Elmwood Ave) suggested seeking alternative sponsors and cited a 2024 figure she attributed to LifeWise: $35,000,000 in revenue with 24% spent on direct teaching; Beacon offered to provide supporting materials on request.
Other commenters framed the issue as one of civic identity. "Not standing up for what all of you know is right is a mistake," said Sandra Meggert, who described the sponsorship as damaging to Grandview's reputation as an inclusive community.
Council members thanked residents for coming, asked staff for more information about sponsorship revenue and participation, and discussed options for future policy changes. One council member said total outside sponsorship for parks and recreation programming was "30 to $50 a year," a figure staff characterized in the meeting as an approximate range and not further broken out in the record.
The council did not take a policy vote on Nov. 24. Director Maxwell and staff said they will continue reviewing sponsorship policies and respond to resident inquiries; any city action would be prospective and would be presented to the council for consideration.
