Board debates safety, logistics of Lifewise off‑campus instruction for elementary students

Superintendent Dr. Order outlined a proposed Lifewise program that would use a church across from the stadium for weekly off‑campus religious instruction during lunch/recess for first‑ through third‑grade students on a strictly opt‑in basis.

Dr. Order said the district’s policy already allows excused off‑campus religious instruction during the school day with parental permission and that Lifewise would provide fingerprinted volunteers to escort students. “They would like to travel to the church by foot and would like to start sometime this year really once we get the logistics worked out,” she said.

Board members thanked Lifewise’s representative, Sharon Eldridge, but raised multiple concerns about safety and logistics: how the program would ensure supervision for very young students, whether volunteers meet training expectations, how students who receive free and reduced meals would be fed while off‑campus, and whether crossing guards or other traffic controls would be in place for the walk. Members emphasized that parents retain the option to decline release time for their children and urged the district to document procedures and transportation contingencies before the program begins.

Superintendent and board members agreed to continue working with Lifewise on logistics and to defer any formal start until safety, lunch provision and permission procedures are clearly documented.