Debate over Lifewise Academy draws large crowd at New Hanover school board meeting

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — A proposed Bible-based education program for public school students drew dozens of protesters and supporters to the New Hanover County Board of Education meeting Wednesday night, even though the issue was not listed on the agenda.

Crowds gathered outside the Board of Education Center ahead of the meeting to oppose the proposed LifeWise Academy program, and many continued to voice their concerns during the public comment period.

Leslie Posey, one of several speakers opposed to the program, stated that it would disrupt students’ regular instructional time.

“LifeWise program does not just take kids out of school during their elective,” Posey said. “They will miss hours of vital classroom time and participation.”

Supporters of the program also spoke, arguing it offers families an additional source for student education.

“LifeWise is constitutionally legal, privately funded and entirely voluntary,” said Loretta Smith. “It costs the school nothing.”

First introduced to the board during a February meeting, LifeWise Academy provides a Bible-based character education program for public school students during the school day, allowing students to leave campus to attend off-site classes.

Allisa Sivils, chair of New Hanover County’s LifeWise steering committee, urged the board to consider the interests of families who support the program.

“We simply ask the board to listen and respect families who want 45 minutes out of the whole week of character building rooted in the convictions that founded our nation,” Sivils said.

Opponents, including local faith leaders, raised concerns about inclusivity and fairness.

Kelley Finch, a pastor with Mosaic United Methodist Church, said allowing one religious program could open the door to unequal treatment.

“If we’re going to bring in a specific church’s curriculum, they should allow all of us to bring it in,” Finch said. “Our Muslim siblings, our Jewish siblings, our Hindu siblings. So, if they’re going to open up this pathway, we want them to open it for all of us or none of us, and truthfully we’d rather it be none of us.”

Concerns were also raised about student safety. Molly Gaines, executive director of the Secular Education Association, said transporting students off campus during the school day could introduce risks.

“We spend so much time and effort and money keeping our school campuses safe and closed,” Gaines said. “And then what you’re effectively doing is opening the door wide open, and taking a group of children off campus to an unsecured, unvetted location that other people have open access to, and saying that it’s safe. And that is just never, ever going to be a reality.”

No decision on the proposed program was made during the meeting.