Decatur SD 61
Step 9 of 10
Execute the Plan (Step Descriptions)
What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

Location
Map
Decatur, IL 62523 Macon County
Signatures 149
Lifewise Website Lifewise Website
District Poverty Rate 31.8% (data source)
Non-White Students 72.1% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated October 19, 2025
Enrollment Stats
School Enrollment
130 students

All students in grades open to enroll in Lifewise

Lifewise Enrollment
Not known
School/district enrollment numbers from https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
Lifewise enrollment numbers come from social media, newsletters, press, and public record requests. Contact RPS with enrollment numbers.
School Buildings and Grades
School Grades Period
Dennis Elem School 1st, 5th
State Law and School Board Policy
School District Policy
Policy Notes
Illinois State Law Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time.
State Law Link https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050K26-1.htm
Law Notes
Lifewise Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active
Director Leann Ellis leannellis@lifewise.org Yes

LifeWise Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 9
Execute the Plan
149
March 20, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
147
November 30, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
147
August 24, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
146
August 13, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
143
August 1, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
140
July 26, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
131
July 16, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
125
July 10, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
114
July 1, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
92
June 25, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
91
June 20, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
62
June 15, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
62
June 6, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
62
May 20, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
61
May 17, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
60
May 14, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
59
May 8, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
52
May 5, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
47
May 1, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
36
April 25, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
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