Pickerington Local
Step 10 of 10
Open for Enrollment (Step Descriptions)
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.

Location
Map
Pickerington, OH 43147 Fairfield County
Signatures 334
Lifewise Website Lifewise Website
District Poverty Rate 8.2% (data source)
Non-White Students 56.1% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated October 18, 2025
Enrollment Stats
School Enrollment
1,061 students

All students in grades open to enroll in Lifewise

Lifewise Enrollment
Not known
School/district enrollment numbers from https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
Lifewise enrollment numbers come from social media, newsletters, press, and public record requests. Contact RPS with enrollment numbers.
School Buildings and Grades
School Grades Period
Fairfield Elementary School 3rd, 4th
Toll Gate Elementary 3rd, 4th
Tussing Elementary School 3rd, 4th
Violet Elementary School 3rd, 4th
State Law and School Board Policy
School District Policy
Policy Notes
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 Ohio's legislature recently passed legislation to allow school districts to pass polices and have no limits on the number of hours students can miss for released time. Waiting on the governor's signature.
Lifewise Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active
Director TRACI BAKENHASTER tracibakenhaster@lifewise.org Yes

LifeWise Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
334
September 10, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
330
April 22, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
328
February 15, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
328
January 18, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
327
October 7, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
314
September 26, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
312
September 18, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
311
September 10, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
310
August 23, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
308
August 14, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
306
July 25, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
305
July 17, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
304
July 9, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
303
July 1, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
302
June 25, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
296
June 20, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
294
May 2, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
290
April 26, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
285
April 4, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
284
March 29, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
282
March 25, 2024
 
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