More Lexington 2 students may attend religious instruction this fall.

The 20 year-old program allows students to leave school for Bible classes at local churches. Last year 202 students participated.

Trustees have approved expanding the program in the Cayce-West Columbia district.

Lexington County districts 1, 4 and 5 students participate.

District 3 Public Information Director Mackenzie Taylor says parents in the Batesburg-Leesville area have never requested the program.

District 2 trustees extended an invitation to parents at other schools.

The opportunity will go to Cayce, Congaree, Riverbank, Saluda River Academy for the Arts, Springdale and Wood elementary schools, Busbee Creative Arts Academy, Fulmer, Northside and Pine Ridge middle schools, Brookland-Cayce High, and Pair Education Center students.

Lexington 2 has worked with School Time Bible Ministries since 1998.

School Time offers hour-long academic classes about the Bible during elective/ lunch periods to prevent loss of classroom time.

No public funds go to pay for the program nor do they hold courses on campus.

School Time pays for costs.