New state law sparks debate in Oldham County over religious instruction during school hours

OLDHAM COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- A recent change in Kentucky law allows public school students to be excused for up to one hour a week to attend off-campus moral instruction programs, such as Bible study. The Oldham County School Board met Wednesday night to discuss how to implement these new options locally amid mixed reactions from the community.

The law requires that moral instruction be voluntary, privately funded, held off school property and approved by parents. It also mandates groups seeking to provide such instruction submit applications to local boards including safety plans, background checks and liability insurance.

Students who participate continue to be counted as present for attendance and state funding purposes.

Anita Davis, with Kentucky Citizens for Democracy, expressed concern, calling the law "a slippery slope.

"Religion can now come into the public school day, even though the instruction must take place off campus," Davis said.

State Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Louisville, said the law is part of a broader shift in Kentucky.

"We are watching things turn more in the direction of religious liberties than we have in the last 30 years," she said.

LifeWise Academy, a national nonprofit offering Bible classes in at least 29 states, is seeking to launch a program in Oldham County. The group plans to pull students from special area classes such as art, music or physical education.

Oldham County parent Laura O'Brien supports the program.

"If this program can help kids build character, decrease bad behavior (and) increase attendance, then why wouldn’t we want to try that?" O'Brien said.

While school boards are not required to approve these programs, Kentucky Revised Statute 158.200 provides a legal framework and requires districts to report requests and approvals quarterly to the Kentucky Department of Education.

During Wednesday's meeting, Oldham County board members decided to consult with an attorney to develop the necessary paperwork and procedures to allow moral instruction programs like LifeWise to apply to operate in the district.

Board member Adam Springer estimated the program could be approved within a few months but noted the timeline is tentative.

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