The Worthington City Schools Board of Trustees will “broadly” discuss the district’s religious policy at its next meeting and may consider rescinding the policy that allows one group to teach students the Bible during the school day.

Religious release time allows students to leave during the day for religious instruction, usually during an elective class or lunch. Wise lifea Hilliard-based organization that teaches students the Bible during the school day, has a chapter in the Worthington school district.

At a political committee meetingWorthington Board President Nikki Hudson and Superintendent Trent Bowers discussed the policy for about three minutes.

They specifically discussed policy language regarding religious organizations soliciting students on district premises. Bowers recommended the board move away from the policy, saying the law requires districts to either allow all outside organizations to canvass or none.

Hudson said the full board will review the policy as a whole at the next meeting on Nov. 13. She also hinted at the possibility that the board would consider maintaining or rescinding the policy.

“I support your recommendation,” she said of Bowers’ request for the canvassing line. “And I would just amend that so that if we continue the policy, that line is crossed, and if, obviously, we choose to rescind the policy, that’s a moot point.”

How long does religious liberation last?

In the United States, school districts may provide the opportunity to free time for religious instruction, consistent with the 1948 United States Supreme Court case, McCollum v. Board of Education, and the 1952 decision, Zorach v. Clauson, The Dispatch previously reported.

More: What is LifeWise? What to know about the group that teaches the Bible during school hours

Although districts are not required to have policies allowing religious release, some state legislators have proposed legislation that would amend state law to require districts to adopt a policy allowing religious release, The Dispatch previously reported.

LifeWise, founded in 2018, is a nonprofit ministry with a mission to reach public school students. It provides Bible education during school hours, outside of the school building, privately funded and authorized by parents, often during an elective class period.

Repeal of Westerville’s religious liberation policy sparked controversy

At the beginning of October, the The Westerville City School Board voted unanimously With one abstention, the board chairman emphasized that the decision was not against any religion, but cited the potential for significant disruption if other religious liberation organizations entered the district.

The vote came after more than two hours of public comments from speakers and after several packed crowd meetings and public testimony. Throughout the discussions, LifeWise supporters wore red, while many opponents wore black, and their comments were met with applause from their respective sides.

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This article was originally published on The Columbus Dispatch: Worthington school board may reverse policy allowing LifeWise