CORRECTION: The story originally reported that the school bus and driver were employed by the South Knox School Corporation. The driver, Brad Case, is an independent contractor who owns his bus. The bus is labeled with the school district’s name. A request was sent to the school to confirm that the bus's use complied with Indiana Code 20-27-9-6. The law requires the superintendent to approve the use of district buses to transport other groups. The district bus was still used to transport individuals for Lifewise. This blurs the line for students and parents, making it appear that the program is a school-sponsored event.
The story will be updated as information becomes available.
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 drive the Lifewise bus.
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 an independent contractor bus driver for South Knox. Case owns the bus he drives. Indiana Code 20-27-9-6 outlines how independent school bus contractors may transport for other organizations. According to the district’s website, he drives bus number 16. Photos on the South Knox Lifewise Facebook page show bus 16 in use. The bus displays the driver’s name on the side. Mr. Case is paid by the district, and the ability to own and operate the bus is based solely on the school district contract.
The school district would still need to approve Lifewise’s use of a bus bearing the district’s name. Indiana law governing released time states, “(2) may not be supported, in whole or in part, by public funds.” The district pays Brad Case $185 per day for his route. The district directly supported Lifewise transportation “in part.”
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.
UPDATE Sept. 13, 2026: We received the records, and we've updated this post.