The Battle Over Religious Release Time: What One Local Advocate Had to Say

At the March 10th Vermilion Local School District Board of Education meeting, Katherine Schwanitz, director of the Lorain and Erie County Secular Education Association, addressed concerns regarding the district’s implementation of Ohio’s newly mandated “released time” for religious instruction. (RTRI) policy.

Schwanitz, representing a group that opposes religious influence in public schools, commended the board’s efforts to protect students while complying with the state requirement. However, she raised several key concerns, particularly regarding background checks for religious instruction staff, potential solicitation within schools, and impacts on students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

She specifically questioned the less stringent background check requirements for LifeWise Academy staff compared to those required for district employees and volunteers. Additionally, she expressed concern over possible recruitment tactics used to encourage student participation in religious programs, asking how the district plans to enforce its policy and handle violations.

Schwanitz also highlighted potential risks for students with IEPs, noting that missing instructional time for religious programs could affect their mandated learning hours. She urged the board to ensure safeguards were in place to prevent compliance issues.

Despite her concerns, Schwanitz emphasized that she was proud of Vermilion Schools for maintaining a thoughtful and protective approach to the policy.

“The Secular Education Association, formerly Parents Against LifeWise, has reviewed the proposed RTRI policy and is proud that Vermilion Schools, who so firmly opposed efforts by LifeWise and the state of Ohio to mandate release time for religious instruction, remained steadfast in their thoughtful efforts towards protecting the children once that choice was removed.”

The board did not immediately respond to her comments, but the discussion highlights ongoing debates about how religious release time policies should be handled in Ohio schools.