Parents and teachers urge Wilson County board to consider Lifewise Academy; student testifies "I love Lifewise"
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Summary
Two presenters and a student told the board about Lifewise Academy, describing it as parent‑permitted, off‑site and privately funded; presenters cited a Thomas P. Miller & Associates study they said showed a 7% attendance improvement and a 9‑incident decline in suspensions and asked the board to consider the program.
At the Jan. 12 Wilson County Board of Education meeting, two presenters from Nash County described Lifewise Academy and urged the board to consider the program for students in the district.
Maureen Peacock, a retired educator who said she served on a Lifewise steering committee, told the board the program offers parent‑permitted, off‑site religious instruction during the school day and is privately funded. Peacock said an independent study by Thomas P. Miller & Associates showed a 7% increase in attendance the first year after Lifewise was instituted and a nine‑incident decline in suspensions between the second and third years, and she provided packet materials to board members.
Carrie Morningstar, an art teacher at Nashville Elementary, described local growth of the program—saying Nash County started with 32 students in October and had grown to about 125—and introduced a student, Elliot Mills, who testified: “I love Lifewise.” Morningstar characterized Lifewise as teaching character and said students she works with have shown problem‑solving improvements.
The board offered several response options for public comment. After discussion, the board agreed to have the administration respond to the presenters’ concerns and materials. The board did not vote on adopting Lifewise or change district policy during the meeting.
Claims made by presenters about attendance and suspension improvements were presented as program‑sourced findings; the board asked administration to review the materials and respond.