The meeting sparked debate over optional LifeWise Bible classes allowed by Florida law.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A national nonprofit offering Bible classes to students sparked a heated debate at Tuesday night’s Duval County School Board meeting.
The superintendent and school board chair both confirmed during Tuesday night’s meeting that the school district does not have any partnership with LifeWise, the national nonprofit that will be offering Bible classes to students.
However, parents have the right to allow their children to take part in these off-campus classes because of a Florida law.
“I’m asking you for public decorum, so we can continue to run this meeting, so there are no outbursts from our community members,” said School Board Chair Charlotte Joyce.
Joyce had to ask for order, as discussions got heated during the public comment portion of the meeting.
“LifeWise classes teach morals, right and wrongs, according to God’s word,” said one supporter of LifeWise.
“Programs like LifeWise, no matter how well intentioned, blur the lines between church and state,” said a DCPS parent who is against the program.
A majority of speakers spoke either for or against LifeWise.
According to LifeWise Program Director Rhianna Sanford, the classes will last around 45 minutes and take place once a week. Students would be transported by a bus provided by the organization to an off-site location.
“We’re here to serve teachers and schools across the nation,” said Sanford during the meeting.
“Adopting LifeWise in Duval County would strengthen our students, improve school culture and reflect the values of our community,” said another supporter of LifeWise.
“By inviting this organization into our public schools, you’re putting our kids’ safety at risk, disrupting classrooms and contributing to truancy,” said Katie Hathaway with Public Schools Defenders.
“I’m very concerned about LifeWise trying to work their way into our schools here in Duval,” said another DCPS parent opposing the program.
A Florida statute and ruling by the Supreme Court permits districts to allow these programs. School leaders made that clear during the meeting.
“I do want to clarify that LifeWise is not a vendor,” said Joyce. “They will not use public funds. This is a strict agreement between the parent and the LifeWise Academy.”
“This is not a program that this board or this superintendent or members of my staff brought,” said Superintendent Christopher Bernier. “We do have to do with the law and what the law saw, and we have to make sure we’re compliant.”
Despite the heated back and forth, Joyce said there will not be a vote from the board on this program. The board just wanted to provide clarification.
According to LifeWise’s Duval County program director, the nonprofit hopes to open their first site in the county within the next two months.
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