On Monday, July 25, 2022, the Findlay City School Board approved the RTRI (Released Time Religious Instruction) policy with a 3 to 1 vote.  Lifewise Academy is the program being utilized for Christian-based school release time.  Bigelow Hill and Northview will be the first schools to pilot this program with Findlay Grace Brethren Church and New Life Assembly of God.  This will take place once a week, for those that sign a release form for their child. Bible classes are about an hour long and take the place of the child's elective or special classes such as gym or art.

Arguments have been brewing against the program.  Some say it is stealing valuable learning/developmental time away from children, especially by replacing art, gym, or study time with religion.  Others question whether parents will force their children into these religious classes.  A solid argument is "Separation of Church and State."  Why is a public school system allowing kids to use school time for religious learning? Offering opportunity for practicing Christians, while leaving out other religions or children that are not religious is simply not fair and will cause divide or worse, bullying.  No matter your reason for not supporting this program, I think the one argument we can all get behind is that Christian Bible study should not take place DURING PUBLIC SCHOOL hours.  

The area volunteer group behind Lifewise Academy needed 50 signatures of support to start the process.  Along with the approval of the school board, they also needed to raise $1500 for the program. Who are the people facilitating the program?  Who are the donors?  Who will be transporting these kids to and from church? How do the children decide what important class to drop and replace with religion? There are so many questions left unanswered for a program that should never be legal in the first place.

We invite you to stand together in opposition of religious-based programs in Findlay City Schools and all public schools for that matter.  Please sign our petition and share if you're able.  If every person shared just once, we could reach so many.