Step 10 - Open for Enrollment (Step Descriptions)
| Location | Chillicothe, OH 45601 Ross County |
| Signatures | 218 |
| LifeWise URL | LifeWise Academy Page |
| District Poverty Rate | 12.2% (data source) |
| Non-White Students | 6.2% (data source) |
| NCES Link | NCES District Info |
| Last Updated | June 17, 2025 |
What Can My School District Do?
All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.
RTRI State Law and School Board Policy Info |
|
| School District Policy | The policy has extra requirements that go beyond the state/federal requirements. |
| Policy Link | https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/ztloh/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DABQM367DA09 |
| Policy Notes | The policy states, "The Board of Education may permit students participating in religious instruction access to an early or late bus route." This is a before and after-school Lifewise program. Lifewise claims not to allow before or after-school programs. |
| Ohio State Law | Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time. |
| State Law Link | https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3313.6022 |
| Law Notes | |
Local Staff/Volunteers
Download Lifewise Staff/Volunteer List (CSV)| Title | Name | Active | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Debra Geno | debrageno@lifewise.org | Yes |
| Teacher | John Hutton | Yes | |
| Teacher | Melissa Hutton | Yes | |
| Teacher | Stephanie Clemmons | Yes |
LifeWise Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
218
February 2, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
217
July 17, 2024
Step 8
Train Your Team
0
June 19, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
0
May 4, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
137
May 2, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
136
April 25, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
101
April 4, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
100
March 29, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
99
March 25, 2024
