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Worthington City Board debates release time for religious instruction, pauses for legal review amid pending state bill
Summary
Board members voiced concerns about Policy 50223'release time for religious instruction'citing safety, classroom disruption and scalability if many programs seek release time; with House Bill 445 pending at the Statehouse the board agreed to seek legal advice and refer options to the policy committee rather than change policy immediately.
Board President Nikki Hudson said at the start of a lengthy discussion that the board should first consider what is right for the district, then address how to respond to pending state action: "What do we feel like is right for our district?" Hudson asked as members prepared to weigh local policy against state-level proposals.
The discussion centered on Policy 50223 (Release Time for Religious Instruction). Board member Stephanie Harless said her primary concern was "the scalability of our TRI," warning that what begins as a single program could expand to multiple outside providers and create safety and disruption risks for elementary students. Jennifer Best, who reviewed the policy'including its 2015 adoption and subsequent edits'echoed concerns about disruptions and noted that the policy committee had previously removed the credit-for-release option.
Amber Eppling Skinner, who serves as legislative liaison, and other board members repeatedly raised the pending state measure often referred to in the meeting as House Bill 445. Several members said HB 445 could change the district's options; Amber Eppling Skinner noted that the bill might move during the upcoming lame-duck session and that the legislature's actions could be unpredictable. "We know it's looming here in the background," she said, describing the legislative uncertainty and urging caution.
No motion to rescind or amend the policy was made. Instead, the board agreed on next steps: obtain advice of counsel about legal constraints and options; ask the policy committee to examine possible guardrails that could limit disruption and increase student safety should the district be required to administer release-time programs; and consider a board resolution or other communication to state legislators. Hudson said she would draft proposed language to convey the board's position to the Statehouse for review by members before possible submission.
Board members spoke cautiously about unintended consequences. Kelly Davis (vice president) framed the issue as one of consistency for the school day and equity for students, while other members asked for specific legal guidance on constitutional issues raised by speakers during public comment. Several board members said they were not prepared to take policy action at the meeting and preferred to wait for legal advice and clarity from the legislature.
The board's next procedural steps, as stated during the meeting, are to secure counsel's advice on Policy 50223 and to convene the policy committee to review specific options the board could adopt to minimize disruption and maintain student safety if release-time programs continue or expand. The board did not change or rescind Policy 50223 at this meeting.
