New Hanover school board to hear presentation on LifeWise Academy program at June 2nd meeting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Education will hear a presentation from Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes during its next meeting regarding the controversial LifeWise Academy program.

In a 4-3 vote on Thursday, the board approved allowing Barnes to give a five-minute presentation about the program during next Tuesday’s meeting, June 2nd. LifeWise Academy offers off-campus Bible instruction to students during school hours.

Last month, Barnes sent board members a two-page memo outlining potential advantages and concerns related to the program.

During Thursday’s meeting, Barnes clarified that the upcoming presentation would not include a formal recommendation to the board.

“I’ve already sent you as a board the information that you requested,” Barnes said. “I don’t think it’s going to take very long for me to explain it. So I can explain it in 5 minutes, especially because you’re not asking me at this point for my recommendation, you asked for information.”

The board also voted 6-1 to move the discussion and a possible vote on the LifeWise Academy program from June to August.

Additionally, board members unanimously approved holding a public hearing on the program before the August meeting, although a date for that hearing has not yet been announced.