The beginning of this school year has brought many changes not only for students of SOHS, but students throughout our Commonwealth. From the moment of silence, to the ban of cell phones during instructional time, decisions made at the State level have had a significant impact on the lives of students in our school. The Kentucky Senate Bill 19 that was amended in March of 2025 is currently of discussion in the Oldham County Board of Education. The amendment to Senate Bill 19 allows for schools in Kentucky to offer students the chance to leave school one day a week for an hour to receive approved moral instruction. Senate Bill 19 is also the same bill that requires a 1-2 minute moment of silence directly after the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of every school day.
What is Moral Instruction?
As outlined in the Senate Bill, moral instruction is only one day a week for no more than an hour, cannot take place on school property, participation is voluntary, students’ attendance at school will not be penalized, and anyone not participating in moral instruction will be taking a noncredited enrichment class that is not required in the regular curriculum.
Originally, citing the following reasons, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed the bill.
- “At best, the bill will cause students to miss out on important instructional time. At worst, it is subject to abuse and threatens the safety of Kentucky children.” (S.B. 19)
- There are no exceptions for students who cannot sit silently, such as kindergarten students, meaning they are breaking the law every time they move in their seat.
- “Requiring a seated time of silence does not recognize different faiths that may involve standing prayer.” (S.B. 19)
Following the Governor’s veto, the bill was sent back to the Senate for consideration where it was eventually overridden by a vote of 29-8. The veto then went to the House of Representatives, where it was again overridden 74-14, resulting in Senate Bill 19 taking effect for the start of the 2025 school year.
LifeWise in Oldham County
Recently, LifeWise Academy, a non-profit Christian organization based in Ohio that partners with public schools to offer Bible-based moral instruction during the school day, approached the Oldham County Board of Education about implementing a program in our district. LifeWise teaches moral instruction based on “historic, orthodox Christian beliefs as expressed in the Nicene Creed,” as expressed in their statement of faith.
LifeWise is currently advocating to implement this program at Locust Grove Elementary and work with students in third through fifth grade during their related arts instruction. This means that they would miss class time from courses such as music, art, or physical education.
Cassie Allchorne is the Oldham County LifeWise Academy Director and has three children currently attending Locust Grove Elementary. In an article by the Kentucky Lantern, Allchorne spoke about what LifeWise will be teaching and said the curriculum is “designed to teach the main and plain things of the Bible along with promoting positive character traits, like love, kindness and gratitude, as part of the lessons”.
So far, the Board has not made a decision about offering LifeWise. However, according to WHAS11, Board Chair Carly Clem has said, “We can put in that request to the attorney general’s office on how exactly do we need to comply with this law, because we need to follow the law.”
The Public’s Opinions
The response to the potential partnership with LifeWise has had strong, and differing opinions across the community. Recently, on September 8th, Joyce Fletcher, former board chair, and Anita Davis, former assistant superintendent, both Oldham County Board Members, published an opinion piece to the Oldham Era about LifeWise. They cited several reasons for their opposition, such as:
- It “will create a loss of approximately 30+ hours of instruction over 30 weeks for children.”
- Music, art, technology, and physical education “are not expendable, and we feel that this proposed plan devalues those areas.”
- “It is unacceptable to us that any child could be placed in a situation to be bullied or ostracized because of the stances LifeWise holds and teaches in their classes.”
- “LifeWise is a program that is controversial, largely unproven and lacking in transparency.”
- LifeWise “represents a narrow strand of Christianity and questions the beliefs of other faiths.”
Additionally, from WHAS11, Davis said, when “teaching lessons from the Bible, whose version are we looking at? We all know there are different faiths. There are different tenets within it, even in Christianity.” Those who do not agree with LifeWise concur with the reasons listed above. Furthermore, in a press release from Kentucky Citizens for Democracy, they state that “this proposed partnership is in conflict with the democratic principle of the separation of church and state,” and many others in the community have expressed similar sentiments.
Others in our community do not see a problem with allowing LifeWise in Oldham County schools. In an article written by Casey McCall published in the Oldham Era, McCall, a lead pastor at Ashland Community Church in LaGrange, KY, states that “by allowing LifeWise’s program, Oldham County Schools is not establishing, or even endorsing, any religion.” McCall goes on to say, “our students need instruction to help them recognize what is good, what is true and what is beautiful.” Lindsey Tichenor, a Kentucky Senator who sponsored Senate Bill 19, expressed a similar belief in her quote to the Kentucky Lantern. Tichenor stated “when you’re teaching values of don’t lie, don’t steal, treat your neighbor as yourself, treat others as you want to be treated, the Golden Rule, why would that be a negative thing to try and teach students within our school day?”
Additionally, others in the community have responded to those against LifeWise by emphasizing that it is optional. Even though the moral instruction would take place during related arts time, some believe that those classes are essential, while others are saying that moral instruction is optional, just like how related arts classes are optional, such as a student choosing band over choir.
What Next?
With all of these factors at play, it is important for students, parents, and other members of the Oldham County community to follow this story closely so they are aware of how they could be impacted. Regardless of your personal opinions, the Dragon’s Tale staff encourages you to stay informed.
