Parental Rights

I would like to clarify my stance on parental rights, particularly regarding the Channahon LifeWise academy, sex education, and other sensitive topics.

I firmly support a guardian’s right to guide the values and beliefs they wish to instill in their children.

Guardians should be informed of all activities that occur while their child is under the district’s care, with no exceptions. The district must maintain complete transparency regarding classroom instruction to ensure that lessons align with individual family values. If there is an objection, guardians have the right to withdraw their child from that lesson, and the district is obligated to provide an alternative educational activity during that time.

First, it is crucial to emphasize that LifeWise Academy has no affiliation with the school. Consequently, the school board lacks authority over the program. The school is obligated to honor the rights of guardians to send their children to off-site religious education during school hours.

As publicly stated during a school board meeting in June 2023:

“I believe that LifeWise Academy, or any other religious program, presents valuable opportunities for students who choose to participate.”

I stand by this statement and have no objection to LifeWise Academy. However, I do not believe the school should restructure the school day to accommodate an outside program, regardless of its affiliation.

In full transparency, my children do not attend LifeWise Academy.

Another area of concern for parents is sex education. My position is that the school should only teach age-appropriate, scientifically accurate material to meet the educational standards set by state and federal agencies. Furthermore, the school has a responsibility to proactively inform parents about the curriculum content. This allows guardians to review the material and make informed decisions about whether their child should be taught the information. Once again, if there is an objection, guardians have the right to opt their child out of the class and be provided with an alternative lesson during that time.

I trust that this clarification will provide a clearer understanding of my position on these matters.