Stop calling it “private” when public schools make it possible.
Families are told released-time religious instruction is simple:
Kids leave school.
Parents give permission.
The program is private.
The school is separate.
But public records from Plymouth, Ohio show why that story falls apart fast.
SEA reviewed records tied to a LifeWise Academy project showing public school land, school staff emails, survey work, zoning approvals, sewer lines, water taps, sanitation requests, district legal review, transportation cost calculations, and even a draft school-bus contract.
All for a program families are told is “off campus” and “private.”
That is not clean separation.
That is public systems being wrapped around religious instruction during the public school day.
And Plymouth is not the only place we are seeing this pattern.
Across the country, communities are being told these programs are separate from public schools while districts are asked to bend schedules, staff time, records, transportation questions, infrastructure, and student routines around them.
So here is the question:
If public school land, public staff time, public infrastructure, public records, and public transportation planning are part of the story…
why are families still being told this is simply “private” religious instruction?
Parents deserve answers.
Taxpayers deserve transparency.
Students deserve public schools that do not appear to facilitate or endorse religious instruction during the school day.
Read SEA’s full investigation:
https://seculareducationassociation.org/2026/05/16/off-campus/
Public schools belong to everyone.
What people are saying:
- Secular Education Association: Public records requests are a weapon.
Use them.
If released-time religious instruction is operating in your district, ask for the records: emails, contracts, transportation discussions, board minutes, schedules, policies, infrastructure communications, and communications with LifeWise or any other released-time program.
Public records can show what talking points hide.
SEA created this national Public Records Request Guide for Every State to help you get started:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hPU5JfIWAbqzZGmV8I2UygXyPp5-Q8ZK/view
- Facebook User: It should be after school only.
- Facebook User: Facebook User Ohio State Law requires every school to have a policy for Religious Release Time. In order to go back, we need to repeal that law. That’s a long and arduous process. The GOP in the Ohio Statehouse needs removing asap.
- Facebook User: Facebook User I agree completely
- Facebook User: Crafting IEPs for your students
- Facebook User: People who believe theis lies the SEA is about controling your children and not allowing you to have a say because some teachers or superintendent said he knows better because the devil has hold of you and you believe the scientist and evaluation the earth is billions of years old their are Christian people who believe we have a right to raise are children how we see fit the pedophiles and demonic people who run the public schools are not safe who you trying to kid life wise is a good program
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