WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The Ohio County Board of Education has voted against a proposal that would have allowed students to leave school during lunch to attend off-campus religious classes.

The board voted 3-2 on Monday against developing a policy that would permit students to leave at lunchtime to participate in religious instruction organized by LifeWise Academy, a Christian organization based in Ohio. Board members David Croft, Anne Hercules, and Andy Garber voted against the measure. Molly Aderholt and Bernie Albertini supported it.

LifeWise Academy had requested that the school district adopt a policy enabling students to leave campus during school hours, with parental consent, to attend Bible-based classes. The program is voluntary, takes place off school grounds, and is not facil

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