To the Editor:
As a resident of Chowan County, I believe public service requires a clear commitment to fairness. While recent state regulations mean our district must accommodate voluntary “Released Time” programs like LifeWise Academy, the local rollout has raised understandable concerns regarding classroom equity and transparency.
The framework for this policy was originally introduced to our superintendent by Board Chairman George Lewis. Today, the local director hired to lead the program is his spouse, Michele Lewis.
Because this is a paid position, it introduces a visible conflict of interest. Even with standard voting recusals, it is difficult for parents and teachers to feel confident that district oversight remains completely neutral when private family and financial interests are at play.
Furthermore, our community never had a dedicated public hearing to discuss how these midday departures disrupt student routines. Teachers are left to handle the heavy logistical burden of students shuffling in and out during core academic hours.
Fortunately, state law still grants our local board the full authority to regulate the program’s schedule. To protect classroom continuity, the board should adopt a four-pillar “Minimal Disruption” framework at their upcoming October 20th meeting:
1. Statutory Minimum: Limit released time to exactly one hour per week, preventing excessive learning gaps.
2. Academic Priority: Institute mandatory blackout dates to bar absences during state testing, diagnostics, or remedial reading interventions.
3. End-of-Day Scheduling: Restrict the program exclusively to the final hour of the school day.
4. Continuous Dismissal (No-Return Rule): Mandate that once a student is signed out for released time, they are officially dismissed for the day and cannot re-enter campus.
This final pillar is crucial. By enforcing a strict “no-return” rule, we eliminate front-office chaos, protect our afternoon bus routes from scheduling delays, and ensure the private program assumes 100% of the afternoon custody and pickup liability. Public education must always come first.
Joe Angelucci is a resident of Edenton.
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