Community to weigh in on proposed Bible-based program in NHCS
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A controversial learning program not listed on the agenda is taking center stage at Wednesday night’s New Hanover County Schools Board of Education meeting.
Dozens of community members showed up to speak during public comment about LifeWise, a program that offers Bible-based character education to public school students during the school day while off campus.
The program has gained support from some parents and community members, while others raised concerns about its impact on students and public education.
Molly Gaines, executive director of the Secular Education Association, voiced concerns about how the program could affect students.
“Our public schools are host to all children of all faiths. So we’re talking Christians, we’re talking Muslims, we’re talking Agnostic families, we’re talking Catholics, all of them right, that is literally the definition of our public schools is for all of these children to come together and learn at the same table and what we’re having with these RTRI programs, this LifeWise particularly, is that they are dividing the children and actually ranking them and dividing them by religion within the school and that causes huge problems.”
Allisa Sivils, with the New Hanover County LifeWise Steering Committee, previously told WWAY that participation in the program would be optional and ultimately up to parents.
“It comes down to it’s an opt-in opt-out and, you know, the choice for a parent and her or his, the parents to be able to choose for their children and their education and the things surrounding all of that because I think is very important here because I think both sides of this want clear choice for their children and so all we’re doing is taking the first step.”
The LifeWise program has not yet been approved for implementation in New Hanover County Schools. The meeting started at 5:00pm. WWAY will have more tonight on WWAY News.
