Which central Ohio public school districts are now associated with LifeWise?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Every public school district in Franklin County has some connection to LifeWise Academies, a Bible-based program that takes participating students off school grounds during the school day to teach them about Christianity.

LifeWise operates under state-permitted Released Time for Religious Instruction policies, which allow public school students to be excused from school to attend religious education programs. The program is especially prominent in central Ohio, as it is headquartered in Hilliard and led by former Ohio State defensive lineman Joel Penton, LifeWise's CEO. 

LifeWise began serving students in 2019, beginning in just two schools. The program has grown immensely in its five years of operation; in August, LifeWise announced it planned to serve 50,000 students this year.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce lists 16 public school districts in Franklin County, all of which have had some involvement with LifeWise, according to LifeWise's program locator. Neighboring Pickerington, Madison-Plains and Olentangy schools all also have some level of affiliation.

The following districts have active LifeWise programs in at least one school:

There are 10 steps to start a LifeWise program, and the remaining central Ohio districts are at various steps of the implementation process. Bexley City Schools and Grandview Heights have both received district approval for a program and are working to recruit a team, according to LifeWise.

Canal Winchester, Gahanna Jefferson, Groveport Madison, Hamilton Local, Madison-Plains, Pickerington and Reynoldsburg schools are all listed as awaiting district approval after submitting petitions to begin a program. 

As part of the process, organizers must raise $500 and at least 50 signatures, although many collect more. Reynoldsburg submitted 595 signatures and Gahanna Jefferson submitted 653 signatures in favor of beginning a chapter, and most central Ohio districts waiting for approval collected more than 200 signatures. 

Westerville City Schools formerly had 300 students participating in LifeWise but paused its religious release policy in September. On LifeWise's website, the district is listed as currently on hold as LifeWise representatives work with the district to reach an agreement. However, the district previously said it thought the program was disrupting and distracting, with the Board of Education saying it was more open to after-school programming.

Worthington City Schools began mulling over its release time policy in October, and discussions are set to continue at Wednesday evening’s Board of Education meeting.

"We are hopeful that the Worthington school board will continue our program and are committed to working with them to address concerns they may have," Penton said.

While these districts consider their policies, Ohio state legislators resume discussions about religious release policies this week. House Bill 445, which would require public schools to establish release time policies, has its third hearing on Tuesday. If passed, the bill would change Ohio law from stating districts "may" establish a policy to districts "shall" establish one.

“There has been confusion in some school districts where such policies are not in place, and HB 445 would provide much-needed clarity to those districts," Penton said. "We are hopeful that the legislature will understand the urgency of the situation and will expediently pass HB 445.”

During the third hearing, the Primary and Secondary Education Committee will hear testimonies for and against the legislation. In June, around 120 witnesses wrote testimonies in favor of the bill. The third hearing is expected to hear testimonies against the bill as well, according to local advocates planning to attend.