(New Carlisle, IN) - A religious instruction program proposed for students in the New Prairie United School District is under scrutiny by school officials.

 

The status of the program was explained in a public statement issued by the superintendent’s office on Tuesday.

 

In the Fall of 2024, New Prairie was approached by LifeWise Academy, an Ohio-based nonprofit that provides Bible education to public school students during school hours.

 

Local members of the group initially proposed to hold the religion class for elementary students at the New Carlisle Library, across from Olive Elementary School. State law allows for such instruction during school hours, as long as it is completely optional, not on school grounds, and not using school money. LifeWise then changed the location to a Christian church about three miles away, with volunteers transporting students back and forth.

 

Administrators expected the program to start next school year, but hit a snag with LifeWise regarding background checks. The school district requires all volunteers to complete background checks through the Indiana State Police. Administrators said they would allow LifeWise to complete their own checks and share them with the school district. According to school officials, LifeWise balked at both options.

 

“After nearly six weeks of waiting,” their statement said, “LifeWise informed NPUSC they would not share background check results of their volunteers with NPUSC, would not require their volunteers to participate in our volunteer background check process, and are under no legal obligation to cooperate with the request.”

 

Under these circumstances, citing safety concerns as a top priority, the school board is pulling the plug on the program, unless LifeWise complies.