Westerville City School District
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Updated – October 3, 2024
Westerville City School District (WCSD) may have discriminated against Christians by rescinding a religious policy permitting students to attend Bible courses during educational hours. The board voted 4-0 with one abstaining.
On September 30, a report from 10 WBNS News said:
“The Westerville City Schools Board of Education held a special meeting…to make a final decision on whether to rescind its policy on absences for religious instruction…All but one board member ultimately voted in favor of rescinding the policy, therefore banning the continuance of its optional bible program for students, known as LifeWise Academy.”
Lifewise Academy’s “About page” cites the 1952 U.S. Supreme Court decision Zorach v. Clauson as justification for students to study the Bible during school hours. More than 70 years ago, the Court ruled:
“New York permits its public schools to release students during school hours, on written requests of their parents, so that they may leave the school building and grounds and go to religious centers for religious instruction or devotional exercises.”
As of publication, the School Board Watchlist could not find any overturned rulings on the Zorach v. Clauson case.
WCSD policy 5223-Release Time for Religious Instruction says students who attend religious instruction during school hours wouldn’t be considered absent if parents gave consent, attendance records are available to the district, the entity assumes liability for the student, and students take responsibility for missed school work.
Furthermore, WCSD assumed no accountability for transporting students to and from religious classes off campus. Also, district funding and staff members would not be allocated to such programs. The policy ends with the statement, “Nothing herein shall constitute an endorsement of religion or infringe upon an individual’s First Amendment rights.”
Despite the clear guidelines, WCSD Board Member Kristy Meyer contradicted the policy by stating:
“The potential strain on our resources with multiple programs operate [sic] school day ensuring legal compliance, and managing logistics of kids going and coming require significant staff and resources.”
The district website shows the policy 5223 adoption date of April 15, 2016. However, 10 WBNS said WCSD has had the guidelines since 2009. The source also noted that Lifewise Academy started its relationship with the district in 2022 and that 120 students were signed up for the 2024-2025 school year (300 were signed up last year).
WCSD did not provide any reports showing Lifewise was a safety concern or financial burden to the district.
The School Board Watchlist will update this profile as more information becomes available.
Published – November 9, 2021
Westerville City School District is located in Westerville, Ohio. The district has 22 total schools in operation with over 15,000 students enrolled.
WCSD has implemented a mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors. The mandate forces students, staff, and visitors to wear a mask when inside school buildings, and is in effect regardless of vaccination status.
WCSD has an Educational Equity Department that, according to the district, is “designed to increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who enroll in AP/IB classes.” The district has four initiatives which include a cultural mindset, student-centered teaching and learning, family and community engagement, and equity policies and practices.
Please send tips and updates on Westville City Public Schools to [email protected].
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Westerville City School District has 14,571 students enrolled in Pre-K through 12 across 23 schools.
