LifeWise Academy says it is “private.”
But in Putnam County, public records raise a very public question.
County commissioner minutes say LifeWise Academy was provided outside space at the Ag Complex/fairgrounds for a trailer from January through March 2026 at a rate of $50 per month.
The minutes describe it as a “temporary solution” until LifeWise’s “permanent space” was ready.
Here’s where this gets even more interesting.
Putnam County Fair rules list 2026 camper/tent permits at $250 for Junior/Senior Fair exhibitors and $200 for concessionaires.
Those are the kids, families, volunteers, vendors, and community participants actually connected to the fair.
But county minutes say LifeWise Academy was provided outside space at the Ag Complex/fairgrounds for a trailer for $50 per month.
To be clear: these may be different rental categories.
That is exactly why SEA is requesting the records.
Was this just storage?
Was it program space?
Did it include utilities?
Was the trailer being used during the school day?
Was this rate available to every nonprofit, business, religious group, or community organization on the same terms?
Who approved it?
Because if 4-H families and fair participants are paying posted permit rates while a released-time religious instruction program gets a special trailer arrangement, taxpayers deserve answers.
Religious instruction can happen in churches, homes, private schools, and religious spaces. No one is arguing otherwise.
But when a religious program built around pulling children out of public school during the school day is provided space at a county-connected fairgrounds/Ag Complex for $50/month, the public has a right to know whether public resources are being used to support that program.
This is not anti-religion.
This is pro-transparency.
Public resources belong to everyone.
Religious freedom requires government neutrality.
And public officials should be able to explain exactly how this rate was set.
Source link and records request details are in the comments.
What people are saying:
- Secular Education Association: Source for the county minutes referenced in this post:
Putnam County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, Dec. 16, 2025:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11werEDGIDy2FnURkMXaZKzuAyRp8UV7_/view?usp=sharing
SEA is requesting the rental agreement, rate schedule, invoices, payment records, approval records, and any communications explaining how this $50/month LifeWise trailer arrangement was approved.
These may be different rental categories. That is exactly why the public deserves the records.
Was this just storage? Was it program space? Did it include utilities? Was the same rate available to everyone?
Public resources belong to everyone. - Facebook User: Transparency? Of course it was.
- Facebook User: This set up not only attracts child predators ….it is also a money laundering scam to suck our public tax dollars away from public services into private corporate businesses who donate to the GOP politicians who set this up !!!
- Facebook User: Lifewise is a pedophiles dream come true. Keep your kids safe.
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