Big Walnut Local
Step 10 of 10
Open for Enrollment (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

337

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Ohio is a
"Shall" state

Learn more about state laws.

Lifewise Enrollment
206 students (16.1%)
October 2025
Total students enrolled in Lifewise
View Enrollment Details
Location Map Sunbury, OH 43074 Delaware County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 5.7% (data source)
Non-White Students 13.0% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated December 2, 2025
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.

Share With Others Click to Copy Click to share
Schools in the District (8)
School Grades Period
Big Walnut Elementary School 1st, 2nd, 3rd Lunch/Recess w/school option
Big Walnut Intermediate School 4th, 5th Lunch/Recess w/school option
General Rosecrans Elementary 1st, 2nd, 3rd Lunch/Recess w/school option
Hylen Souders Elementary School 1st, 2nd, 3rd Lunch/Recess w/school option
Prairie Run Elementary School 1st, 2nd, 3rd Lunch/Recess w/school option
Big Walnut Early Learning Center at Harrison Street
Big Walnut High School
Big Walnut Middle School
State Law and School Board Policy
School District Policy
Policy Notes
Ohio 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://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3313.6022
Law Notes Ohio's legislature recently passed legislation to allow school districts to pass polices and have no limits on the number of hours students can miss for released time. Waiting on the governor's signature.
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active
Director Bess Daniel bessdaniel@lifewise.org Yes
Director Julie White juliewhite@lifewise.org Yes
Director Kelley Nicholson kelleynicholson@lifewise.org Yes
Teacher Jason Williams Yes
Teacher Jen White jenniferwhite@lifewise.org Yes
Teacher Jennifer White jenniferwhite@lifewise.org Yes
Teacher Lesley Doan lesleydoan@lifewise.org Yes

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
337
October 18, 2023
 
 
Enrollment Data
School Enrollment Lifewise Enrollment % Date
1,276 206 16.1% October 2025
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.
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.



Respect Public Schools
Contact Info
keithc@respectpublicschools.com
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2025
Paid for by Keith Comer