Latest news with #Hilliard-based
Axios
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Ohio parents' rights law for schools takes effect
Ohio's "Parents' Bill of Rights" law takes effect Wednesday, another controversial and sweeping education overhaul, this time at the K-12 level. Why it matters: House Bill 8 shows Republicans' progress in gaining control over public education, particularly in areas tied to the culture wars, including transgender students' rights. What's inside: Districts must now notify parents of "substantial changes" to their child's health and well-being, including "any request by a student to identify as a gender that does not align with the student's biological sex." Separately, districts must also notify parents of instructional materials containing "sexuality content" and provide an opt-out option. Plus: All students must be allowed to leave for private religious instruction during the school day — a practice that has drawn scrutiny amid Hilliard-based nonprofit LifeWise Academy's growing presence. Zoom in: Local districts have made recent moves to comply with the religious teaching mandate, which requires a policy in place by today. That includes Westerville, which previously banned such absences. Columbus' school board revised its policy last month to prohibit religious organizations from sending students back to class with souvenirs like candy and trinkets. The board also reviewed a "Parents' Bill of Rights" policy last week but hasn't voted yet. Between the lines: Underlying the "parental rights" debate are concerns that minors could receive gender-affirming care through school without their parents' knowledge. The big picture: Twenty-four states currently have similar laws, per Ballotpedia, which proponents say are necessary to promote transparency and parents' involvement. "They're the first teachers, they're the best teachers, and that's very, very important," Gov. Mike DeWine said of parents when signing the bill into law. The other side: Critics say such laws are a tactic to instill distrust and fear. School counselors who testified against the bill shared concerns that students with unsupportive families will be deterred from seeking care, and LGBTQ+ activists noted educators may now be forced to out children.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
LifeWise Academy reports it has surpassed its growth goals for the school year
HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — LifeWise Academy has surpassed its goals for the 2024 school year, and it has no intention of slowing down. According to the Impact Report released this month, LifeWise is working with more than 600 schools this school year, offering biblical education to over 40,000 students. The Hilliard-based organization offers Christian instruction during the school day to public students with parental permission under religious release time policies. See previous reporting on LifeWise in the video player above. 'We're proud of LifeWise staff, volunteers and supporters for the remarkable success we've had in making Bible-based character education accessible to thousands of kids across the country,' LifeWise CEO and founder Joel Penton said. 'Given Name Act' would restict names, pronouns in schools LifeWise entered the 2024 school year hoping to reach 425 schools, so Penton and Vice President of Advancement Derek Stemen were excited to announce the 600 milestone. The pair hosted a state of the ministry webinar in February where they unveiled LifeWise's 2025 theme: Coast to Coast. LifeWise celebrated other milestones too, including the release of its documentary, 'Off School Property: Solving the Separation of Church and State.' According to LifeWise, the documentary follows the 'historic removal of the Bible from public education' and calls audiences to help reinstate religion in secular government. The film was viewed by a member of the Secular Education Association, which was still named Parents Against LifeWise when member Sarah Paulett attended a screening in Ohio. She said the film was 'ethnocentric, racist and factually inaccurate' in its portrayal of American history. LifeWise and the Secular Education Association interacted many times in 2024, including through a copyright lawsuit after the group's founder published curricula online. Despite community pushback, LifeWise was still able to expand from 340 schools in 15 states in 2023 to its end of 2024 numbers. Not just DEI: Seven things to know about Ohio's sweeping higher ed bill As part of its key initiatives, LifeWise applauded legislation across three states, including Ohio, that passed laws ensuring public schools implement religious release policies. Ohio's new law mandating religious release policies goes into effect April 9. 'We're also thankful to the families and schools who have brought LifeWise to their communities,' Penton said. 'They have consistently told us that Bible education has made a tremendous difference in their children's lives, including improving their behavior and their academic performance.' Financially the group also had a successful year, doubling its revenue in 2024. According to the Impact Report, LifeWise spent just over $18 million last year, one-third to its 'vision fund' and two-thirds to 'program funds.' LifeWise said vision expenses cover growth costs, like marketing, growth initiatives and staff in proactive roles. Program funds cover current operations, including pay for local chapter staff, transportation from public schools and supplies. LifeWise's financial report for fiscal year 2024 shows five employees make more than $100,000 per year. Four of them are listed as part of the organization's eight-person leadership team: NAME TITLE SALARY Joel Penton* CEO/President $111,824 Steve Clifton* COO/CFO/Secretary/Vice President $183,532 Derek Stemen* Vice President of Advancement $113,381 Jeffrey Peterson* Vice President of Operations $101,800 Kurt Snedecor Director of Strategic Partnerships $100,500 The remaining leadership are Sara Spath (Vice President of Program Health), Nate Lundquist (Vice President of Creative), Emily Warner (Vice President of IT) and Jesse Vohwinkel (Vice President of Growth). Ohio group asks U.S. Supreme Court to allow student opt outs for LGBT+ lessons The report also celebrated LifeWise's new headquarters, where construction is nearing completion. LifeWise unveiled the headquarters' floor plan earlier this year, which includes a number of rooms and workspaces. According to site plans, the building has six primary spaces: Reception offices for visitors and program leaders arriving for training sessions Tressel Coaching Hall, named for Penton's former football coach at Ohio State, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, will be an event space large enough for 300 people Smaller workspaces, including conference rooms and a coworking space for casual use Executive offices A multimedia studio to film movies and media appearances A patio for outdoor use The LifeWise Skestos Center is asking for large sponsorships for portions of the building, offered as 'giving opportunities.' These include $250,000 for a prayer room and $10,000 per event patio picnic table. Personalized patio bricks are also for sale, ranging from $250 to $1,000. Although LifeWise surpassed its 2024 goals, the organization said it has no intention of slowing down. LifeWise said it hopes to be in 10% of U.S. schools by 2030 and more than 90% within the next 35 years. 'We look forward to advancing our mission to make Bible-based character education available to every child,' Penton said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Jim Tressel, DeWine's pick for Lt. governor, has been a 'champion' of LifeWise
Jim Tressel, DeWine's pick for Lt. governor, has been a 'champion' of LifeWise Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel, who Gov. Mike DeWine tapped to be Ohio lieutenant governor Monday, also has connections to LifeWise, the Hilliard-based program that teaches the Bible to public school students during school hours. DeWine has nominated Tressel to replace Jon Husted, who DeWine appointed to fill now-Vice President JD Vance's seat last month. Tressel, a Mentor native, served as Youngstown State University's president from 2014 to 2023 in addition to his role as Buckeye football coach from 2001 to 2011. LifeWise plans to name a room in its headquarters after Tressel. The program buses students off school property, often during an elective class period. It is privately funded and parent-permitted. For Tressel to become Ohio's next lieutenant governor, a majority of lawmakers in the Ohio House and Senate must approve him. Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise, said in a statement that LifeWise was "pleased" to learn Tressel was nominated and believes "he will be a tremendous asset to Buckeye families in that role." "Coach Tressel has been a personal inspiration and encouragement to me for many years, including since the launch of LifeWise Academy," Penton said. Room in new LifeWise HQ to be called 'Tressel Coaching Hall' Last year, LifeWise purchased the former Aquatic Adventures building located by Interstate 270 off Cemetery Road in Hilliard for nearly $3 million, with plans for a renovated training facility named the Skestos Center to help power the organization's national ambitions for the future. The building is scheduled for completion this spring. More: LifeWise taking over Hilliard scuba facility as religious nonprofit sees rapid growth The building will feature a "Tressel Coaching Hall," named in honor of the former OSU coach, to train LifeWise teachers from across the country. Penton is a former OSU defensive lineman and played under Tressel. Penton said he asked him if he would allow his name on the room for training. "(Tressel has) been an encouragement and a champion to a degree," Penton said in 2024. "He's not super publicly tied to (LifeWise) but I asked him, I said, 'Can we honor you by putting your name on the training room,' and he said "Sure, but call it a coaching room.'" Tressel also helped raise funds for LifeWise in 2023 and has spoken at LifeWise events. What is LifeWise? LifeWise, founded in 2018, is an an event-based nonprofit ministry with a mission to reach public school students. It offers Bible education during school hour that is off school property, privately funded and parent-permitted, often during an elective class period. In the United States, school districts may offer the option of released time for religious instruction in compliance with the 1948 U.S. Supreme Court case, McCollum v. Board of Education and the 1952 decision, Zorach v. Clauson, The Dispatch previously reported. More: Ohio school Bible program LifeWise raised $35 million, tripled profits last year The curriculum promises to teach students the entire Bible in five years, according to the LifeWise website. Governor signs bill requiring districts to allow religious release time In January, DeWine signed into law a requirement that schools let students leave for off-site religious classes with their parents' approval. The change was added into the "Parents' Bill of Rights" during a flurry of last-minute lawmaking. The new law takes effect in less than three months. The legislation comes after two central Ohio school districts, Worthington City and Westerville City school districts, rescinded their existing policies allowing religious release. Members of both school boards said that religious release was potentially disruptive and questioned whether the policy would add additional strain to the districts if it were scaled up by more programs. Cbehrens@ @Colebehr_report
