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Pastor asks board to approve LifeWise release‑time program; officials cite pending state bills
Summary
Lee Hackner, pastor at Life Point Church, asked the board to approve LifeWise Academy release‑time instruction; board members noted Ohio law and pending state bills (SP 104, HB 445) could change local options and said they will review policy when final legislation is available.
Lee Hackner, pastor at Life Point Church, presented a request that Waterloo Local adopt policy to allow LifeWise Academy—a release‑time religious instruction program—to operate with students released from school for instruction off campus. Hackner said the local group has completed multiple implementation steps and is at "step six right now which is the approval of the board," and that several area churches are prepared to provide personnel and funding.
Board members and staff explained the district must follow Ohio law and legislative developments. A district representative said Ohio is currently a "May state" for release time but that state action in the near term may convert the status and mandate local policy. In the meeting the board noted expectations that state action could require policy changes, and that staff will bring a formal policy for board review if and when statutory language is finalized.
The board’s legislative update referenced two state measures relevant to religious instruction and student protections. The update said SP 104 (Protect All Students Act) was on the governor’s desk and likely to be signed soon; the presenter said, "I have every anticipation that that will be signed within the next couple weeks," and that the board will review resulting regulations. The report also named House Bill 445 as legislation that "encompasses not only structured religion type curriculum within the school day but also release time," and said the board will table local policy action until final bill language and attorney review are available.
At the meeting no formal board vote was taken to approve LifeWise; the district indicated it is monitoring state legislation and will prepare policy and legal review if required by new state law. Hackner asked the board to present the program to the district and answer questions about next steps; staff said they would work with the pastor and legal counsel as the legislative landscape develops.
