Signatures
365
People who signed Lifewise's petition
State Law
Indiana is a
"Shall" state
Active Schools
Lifewise Enrollment
| Location Map | Columbia City, IN 46725 Whitley County |
| Lifewise Local Program Website | Link (opens in a new tab) |
| District Poverty Rate | 8.5% (data source) |
| Non-White Students | 9.5% (data source) |
| NCES Link | NCES District Info |
| Last Updated | December 1, 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.
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Schools in the District (6)
| School | Grades | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Coesse School | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th | |
| Indian Springs Middle School | 6th, 7th | |
| Little Turtle Elementary School | 4th, 5th | |
| Mary Raber Elementary School | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th | |
| Northern Heights Elementary School | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th | |
| Columbia City High School | ||
State Law and School Board Policy
| School District Policy | |
| Policy Notes | |
| Indiana 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://iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/20#20-33-2-19 |
| Law Notes |
Local Personel
Download All Lifewise Personel List
| Title | Name | Active | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Jacie Stahl | jaciestahl@lifewise.org | Yes |
| Teacher | Jessica Bedwell | Yes | |
| Teacher | Karis Norden | Yes | |
| Teacher | Kathryn Hunt | Yes | |
| Teacher | Lisa O'Dell | lisaodell@lifewise.org | Yes |
| Teacher | Lisa O'dell | Yes | |
| Teacher | Lisa O?Dell | lisaodell@lifewise.org | Yes |
| Teacher | Lisa O’Dell | lisaodell@lifewise.org | Yes |
| Teacher | Sarah Banks | sarahbanks@lifewise.org | Yes |
Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
365
November 13, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
363
January 4, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
360
September 6, 2022
Enrollment Data
| School Enrollment | Lifewise Enrollment | % | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,587 | 500 | 31.5% | November 2025 |
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. | ||||
