Board schedules public hearing on LifeWise after briefing that stresses legal limits

The New Hanover County Board of Education on June 2 received an informational briefing on LifeWise — a community-operated program that provides voluntary religious instruction — and agreed to hold a public hearing before taking any formal steps. Superintendent Dr. Barnes told the board LifeWise, as presented, could be legally permissible only if three conditions are met: it take place off school grounds, occur outside core instructional time, and use no school funds or tangible resources.

Dr. Barnes said he reviewed LifeWise materials, met with program representatives and consulted superintendents in other districts to assess logistics and legal risk. He flagged practical hurdles raised by principals, including lost instructional minutes, added staff time to release and return students, and compliance with the district’s volunteer requirements. “It cannot take place during core instruction. It cannot take place on school grounds and it cannot utilize school finances or tangible resources,” he said, summarizing the legal limits.

The board did not vote on an agreement or memorandum of understanding; members directed staff to schedule a public hearing and to design it as an expanded call-to-audience so the community can weigh in before any contract or ANOU is considered.

Public commenters voiced sharply divergent views during the call-to-audience portion. Several parents and teachers urged keeping students in class and noted the potential for instructional disruption and the loss of required art, music and counseling time. Rachel Burkenau said, “Keep students in the classroom — there is zero evidence that LifeWise improves student outcomes,” and warned that taking students out of class will only harm instruction.

Others raised concerns about accessibility and nondiscrimination. Sandy Isles asked whether LifeWise could accommodate students with disabilities, special medical needs or students who require sign language or braille: “Unless LifeWise can accommodate transporting a child in a wheelchair, provide braille reading materials, [and] a nurse for medical needs, our district has no business signing an ANOU with them,” she said.

Supporters framed their remarks differently. Katie Gates argued that biblical literacy contributes to cultural and historical understanding and urged the board to consider such curriculum contexts carefully, though she emphasized the goal is civic literacy not indoctrination.

The board’s next steps are procedural: schedule and hold the public hearing and collect community submissions. Trustees emphasized that no decision would be made at the June 2 meeting and that staff would return with more detailed logistics and a plan for public engagement.