Resident presses board on release‑time religious instruction policy and Lifewise provider

During the public comment period, Evelyn Kremier told the board she had questions about a NEOLA policy under consideration (policy 5223) that would revise guidelines for release‑time religious instruction (RTRI).

Kremier noted that the draft policy removes language that previously "deemed all graded courses to be core curriculum" and asked whether that change meant students could miss graded special classes such as art, music or physical education to attend RTRI. She also asked how repeated absences for RTRI would appear on report cards and requested clarity about limitations on items students could bring back from outside programs. Kremier said she highlighted her questions in writing for the board because she was concerned the item was late on the agenda.

Kremier also asked for an update on Lifewise Academy, noting material she said showed Lifewise had ties to a national conservative network and asked whether the district was at step 7 of an implementation process. Dr. Gould and other administrators responded that the district had discussed Lifewise in prior conversations but that the district currently has no Lifewise provider running programming in Stow‑Munroe Falls and that the district's draft policy had been written with an intent to limit release time to lunch where possible.

Board members said they would address Kremier’s specific policy questions when the NEOLA policy item came up under old business and clarified that the district’s current practice and agreements with any outside provider would be reviewed before any program was implemented.

Kremier’s remarks prompted trustees to reiterate the board’s public‑comment process and to confirm that policy language and operational details would be discussed under the policy agenda item later in the meeting.