Debate over Bible-Based Education Program Draws Crowd at New Hanover School Board Meeting

Proposed LifeWise Academy program sparks controversy over student safety, inclusivity, and use of instructional time

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:49am

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A proposed Bible-based education program called LifeWise Academy for public school students in New Hanover County, North Carolina drew dozens of protesters and supporters to a school board meeting, even though the issue was not on the official agenda. Opponents raised concerns about the program disrupting regular instructional time, issues of inclusivity and fairness, and potential student safety risks from transporting students off campus. Supporters argued the program is constitutionally legal, privately funded, and voluntary for families.

Why it matters

The debate over the LifeWise Academy program highlights ongoing tensions around the role of religion in public education and the balance between accommodating diverse religious beliefs and maintaining a secular, inclusive environment. The school board's decision on whether to approve the program could set a precedent for similar proposals in the future.

The details

The LifeWise Academy program would allow public school students in New Hanover County to leave campus during the school day to attend off-site, Bible-based character education classes. Opponents argued this would disrupt regular instructional time and raised concerns about student safety from transporting students to an unsecured location. Supporters countered that the program is legal, privately funded, and voluntary for families.

  • The LifeWise Academy program was first introduced to the New Hanover County Board of Education during a February 2026 meeting.
  • The heated debate over the program took place at the board's April 2, 2026 meeting.

The players

Leslie Posey

A speaker opposed to the LifeWise Academy program, who argued it would disrupt students' regular instructional time.

Loretta Smith

A supporter of the LifeWise Academy program, who argued it is constitutionally legal, privately funded, and voluntary for families.

Allisa Sivils

The chair of New Hanover County's LifeWise steering committee, who urged the board to consider the interests of families who support the program.

Kelley Finch

A pastor with Mosaic United Methodist Church, who raised concerns about the program's lack of inclusivity for other religious groups.

Molly Gaines

The executive director of the Secular Education Association, who expressed concerns about student safety from transporting students off campus.

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What they’re saying

“'LifeWise program does not just take kids out of school during their elective. They will miss hours of vital classroom time and participation.'”

— Leslie Posey, Speaker opposed to LifeWise Academy

“'LifeWise is constitutionally legal, privately funded and entirely voluntary. It costs the school nothing.'”

— Loretta Smith, Supporter of LifeWise Academy

“'We simply ask the board to listen and respect families who want 45 minutes out of the whole week of character building rooted in the convictions that founded our nation.'”

— Allisa Sivils, Chair of New Hanover County LifeWise steering committee

“'If we're going to bring in a specific church's curriculum, they should allow all of us to bring it in. Our Muslim siblings, our Jewish siblings, our Hindu siblings. So, if they're going to open up this pathway, we want them to open it for all of us or none of us, and truthfully we'd rather it be none of us.'”

— Kelley Finch, Pastor, Mosaic United Methodist Church

“'We spend so much time and effort and money keeping our school campuses safe and closed. And then what you're effectively doing is opening the door wide open, and taking a group of children off campus to an unsecured, unvetted location that other people have open access to, and saying that it's safe. And that is just never, ever going to be a reality.'”

— Molly Gaines, Executive Director, Secular Education Association

What’s next

The New Hanover County Board of Education did not make a decision on the proposed LifeWise Academy program during the April 2nd meeting. The board is expected to continue discussing the issue and potentially vote on whether to approve the program at a future meeting.

The takeaway

The heated debate over the LifeWise Academy program highlights the ongoing tensions in public education around the role of religion, the need to balance diverse beliefs, and concerns over student safety and instructional time. The school board's eventual decision on this program could set an important precedent for similar proposals in the future.