South Knox Schools Allow Lifewise to Use District Buses
South Knox Schools supports a religious organization despite a school board policy that calls it “offensive.”
The South Knox School Corporation has allowed Lifewise Academy to use the school district’s buses. At a board of education meeting, Lifewise local director Morgan Schutter said Lifewise started a month late because of bus issues. Schutter also said Mr. Case would be the bus driver for Lifewise.
South Knox Policy 8800 - Religious/Patriotic Ceremonies and Observances
”… No matter how well-intended, either official or unofficial sponsorship of religiously-oriented activities by the school are offensive to some and tend to supplant activities which should be the exclusive province of individual religious groups, churches, private organizations, or the family. …”
The school district is unofficially sponsoring Lifewise Academy. The district’s buses and drivers are transporting the students. This gives the appearance that the school is supporting the religious program. Because they are supporting the religious program.
Brad Case is a bus driver for South Knox. According to the district’s website, he drives bus number 16. Photos posted on the South Knox Lifewise Facebook page show bus 16 in use. The bus has the driver’s name on the side. This is without a doubt the school district’s bus.
A public school district providing buses to a religious program that removes students from school during the school day is a ridiculous scenario. The Supreme Court in Zorach v. Clauson ruled that released time Bible classes were legal, but that school districts had to remain neutral.
“The present record indeed tells us that the school authorities are neutral in this regard, and do no more than release students whose parents so request.”
Zorach v. Clauson (1952)
A school district that allows a religious group to use its school buses during school hours violates Zorach. Many groups argue that equal access laws permit access to school buildings or buses. These arguments are flawed given the Equal Access Act's basic facts. Equal access is granted to student-led groups outside regular school hours. Lifewise Academy is not student-led, and the use occurs during school hours.
If a religious program cannot function without the public school system’s coordination, logistics, and resources, it’s not neutral and is using the public school system as a crutch.
This is a developing story, and a public records request has been sent to the South Knox School Corporation.