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Pastor asks board to approve Lifewise Academy; board says state law changes will guide district policy
Summary
A local pastor asked the Waterloo board to approve Lifewise Academy, a religious instruction program in step 6 of a 10-step approval process; board members said they expect state legislation to move and that the district will draft policy with counsel once statutory language is final.
Lee, pastor of Lifeline Church, asked the Waterloo Board of Education to approve Lifewise Academy, an off-campus religious instruction program that would require district permission for transport and scheduling. "We're on actually step 6 right now, which is the approval of the board," Lee said, adding that multiple local churches would provide personnel and financial support and that the organizers have obtained the necessary signatures.
Board members acknowledged prior meetings with Lee and said they will await final state guidance before taking formal policy action. Superintendent Mark told the board he expects Ohio — currently characterized in discussion as a "may" state for this subject — could become a "shall" state in the near term, which would require districts to create or modify policy in response to statute. "When that happens, then we'll have policy for you to look at," the superintendent said.
During the legislative report, a board member highlighted two bills the district is tracking: the Protect All Students Act (SB104) on the governor’s desk and House Bill 445, which includes provisions about religious curriculum and release time. "When it's signed and we get the final printout of all the regulations in that legislation, then we will meet for a policy for our district," the board member said.
The board did not take immediate action on Lifewise Academy during the meeting; instead, members directed staff to continue coordinating with legal counsel and to prepare policy language once statutory requirements are finalized.
