During 2023, Lifewise Academy was gathering support to open a program in the Johnstown-Monroe Local School District (Ohio). There was pushback from the community and school board members, and the board decided not to create a policy to allow Lifewise Academy to sign students out for religious worship. Before the vote, Lifewise Academy pulled out all the stops and asked Ohio Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost to write a letter in support of Lifewise for the Johnstown-Monroe School Board meeting. In the emails, it was discussed whether Lifewise would ask for a letter to just one district or for Yost to send a letter to all districts. Lifewise requested that Yost write a letter to Joshntown-Monroe and make it available to Lifewise so that it can market it to other school districts. The whole email thread is at the bottom of the article.
Lifewise Academy used Pastor Tommy Tucker (Johnstown) to send communications to Dave Yost. Tucker confirmed that he had communicated with Yost, who released the letter days later. Tucker stated several times that Yost is an intelligent individual and was probably already working on the letter. A public records request to the Ohio AG’s office produced no records, despite Lifewise and Tucker claiming they had sent communications.
The latest record discussing this is dated October 23, 2023. Nine days later, on November 1, 2023, Dave Yost sent a letter to every Ohio superintendent expressing his approval of released-time programs and urging school districts to adopt policies permitting them.
When Yost originally released the letter, it was assumed he was doing so in support of Lifewise and in response to the pushback Lifewise was receiving in some districts. It wasn’t known that Lifewise had personally requested Yost's support, and that he had jumped at the opportunity, responding just nine days later. It’s clear that Lifewise has the highest legal authority in Ohio in its pocket and need not worry about violating Ohio statutes or federal case law. The level of conflict of interest is asinine. Supporting the idea that the Ohio Attorney General’s office can advertise and support a single religious organization at their request is scary. It should give anyone who believes that government should not be propping up a single religion reason to be fearful.
In May 2025, Yost spoke at a dinner hosted by Lifewise Academy in Morrow County. This “Evening of Impact” dinner is used to fundraise and amplify the Lifewise message. Yost also spoke at the grand opening of the new Lifewise Academy headquarters in Hilliard in September 2025.
Lifewise Academy and Dave Yost are a duo in Ohio who do not even attempt to appear impartial toward any single religious viewpoint. That viewpoint is riddled with antisemitism and teaches bigotry to elementary school students.
The Ohio legislature continues to pass laws that allow Lifewise to override a school district’s authority, contrary to the Ohio AG's opinion (1988-001). New legislation to benefit Lifewise has been passed three times in less than 12 months. The Ohio legislator is focused on removing time from public schools rather than supporting them.
Full Email Thread
On Tue, Oct 17, 2023 at 9:43 AM Ron Rittichier wrote: Hello everyone, I am not sure how to proceed with this and that is why I am reaching out to you guys.
Pastor Tommy Tucker (Johnstown) has a deep relationship with Dave Yost. He is confident that Dave Yost
would write a letter in support of LifeWise and include wording that would be beneficial to LifeWise.
He wants to know how he can be helpful. Pastor Tucker is more than happy to facilitate the passing along
of information we desire as soon as we can.He is looking for additional ammunition to present to the
Johnstown BOE which will meet November 13 as well as providing something, in writing, for other communities.
Another piece of information to share. Dave Yost's father recently fell and is on life support.
The prognosis is that he will likely pass soon. So, at this time, he feels a letter is appropriate, but
desires to be of assistance beyond that. I am asking for direction on what we'd like him to expound upon
in the body of the letter. I will be happy to pass that along to Pastor Tucker. Thoughts? Ron Rittichier Program Coach 419-553-7401 lifewise.org On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 6:48 AM Joel Penton wrote: I think a letter from AG Yost would be fantastic. Do you know if he's thinking about an open letter to us,
an open letter to all Ohio schools, or an open or standard letter to Johnstown? I would be happy to throw
together a few bullet points that would be helpful in any of the above scenarios. -Joel Joel Penton Founder & CEO 614.571.4444 lifewise.org On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 7:57 AM Ron Rittichier wrote: The ask was, tell me what you need? It’s in our court. On Mon, Oct 23, 2023 at 7:56 AM Joel Penton wrote: Ron, I think an open letter to the Johnstown-Monroe board would be great. Ideally we would have his
approval to make it more widely available. Here are some bullets that I think would be helpful:
- He is aware the board is considering whether to allow released time (I wouldn't necessarily specify
that they are in the process of rescinding)
- He is aware there has been a groundswell of local support for starting a LifeWise Academy released time
program that is proposing to hold classes during a lunch/recess period so that students miss no class time.
- Assure them of the legality and precedent
- released time is a beautiful manifestation of the separation yet cooperation of church and state.
- Celebrate the recent proliferation of released time led by the rapid growth of LifeWise Academy
- a movement meeting the needs of families. Providing something for communities to be FOR when there's
often so much people are AGAINST
- Encourage them to consider the voices of the many families asking for a program like this.
- Warn them about the possibility of driving away families who want access to religious ed during school hours
- Address the recent letter sent to all Ohio schools by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Explain that
it is a typical anti-religious scare tactic and they should not be intimidated. Thoughts? -Joel Joel Penton Founder & CEO 614.571.4444 lifewise.org To: joel@lifewise.org CC: lizhultz@lifewiseacademy.org; sara@lifewise.org Subject: Re: Yost Letter Body: I like it Joel. You have covered it from my perspective. Thank you! Johnstown's second reading is
Nov. 13. This should allow ample time to get something in the admin/BOE hands. May I share this with
Pastor Tucker to allow him to pass it along to Dave Yost? Waiting on your approval. Ron Rittichier Program Coach 419-553-7401 lifewise.org
