Board asks superintendent to study 'Lifewise' off‑campus program and potential MOU
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Summary
Staff described Lifewise, an off‑campus faith‑based program that would transport opt‑in students weekly for a short elective period. Trustees asked staff to research legal, logistical and instructional impacts and directed the superintendent to report back with an MOU draft for future consideration.
School staff told trustees about Lifewise, a faith‑based organization that would transport opt‑in elementary students one day a week to off‑campus instruction during an elective period. Staff characterized the program as already operating in some North Carolina districts and said the organizer would assume liability as part of an MOU if the board wanted to pursue it.
Board members raised legal and logistical concerns: whether the program would interrupt core instruction, whether transportation would be provided by district buses, whether the curriculum is an approved course or extracurricular program, and how the district would ensure equal treatment for other organizations wanting similar access. Staff stated the program would require parental opt‑in and that the district has used MOUs for other off‑site partnerships.
After discussion the board voted 7‑0 to ask the superintendent to research logistics, legal considerations and draft an MOU the board could review later. The superintendent will report back on whether the program can be structured to avoid disruption to instruction and whether the district’s requirements (insurance, liability, scheduling, and state rules on virtual academies) can be satisfied.
Board members emphasized this was an exploratory step; no approval was granted to implement the program during the current school year. Trustees specifically requested details on liability, transportation, whether similar programs operate nearby (staff mentioned Onslow County) and whether the Lifewise curriculum is a nationally used program.