Bixby board pauses Lifewise Academy release‑time vote after Open Meetings Act concern

BIXBY, Okla. — The Bixby Board of Education reviewed an application from Lifewise Academy seeking district approval for a release‑time elective for fourth through eighth graders but declined to take action after attorneys warned that voting would violate the Open Meetings Act.

District staff described the requested program as an off‑site elective worth up to half credit (pass/fail), with sessions that could last up to 60 minutes and occur up to three times a week. The application materials included curriculum overviews, assessment plans and a certificate of insurance; staff said parents would complete permission waivers and that background checks and liability coverage were part of the contractor documentation.

During discussion, staff and the Lifewise representative confirmed the program was intended initially for North Intermediate and the middle school sites, and that the number of students affected was not yet known because district staff did not want to post for enrollment until the board approved the program's availability. Superintendent Lydia (speaking during the discussion) characterized the agenda role as "step 1," saying logistical steps — site principal scheduling and parent permissions — would follow board approval.

However, a board attorney advised that because the item had been posted as "information only" it could not be amended in that meeting to allow a vote without violating state open‑meetings requirements; the board therefore left the item as informational and discussed next steps, including the possibility of scheduling a special meeting or reposting the item correctly for action.

Board members pressed for clarifications on insurance, background checks and how course credit and scheduling would be handled; staff said details on liability and the parent permission process were in the packet and that principals would work out site‑level schedules if and when the course is approved.

The board did not take a vote on Lifewise Academy's application on Nov. 13 because of the posting issue; staff said they would return the item properly posted for a future meeting or special meeting to allow action.