Moore County Schools
Step 4 of 10
Form a Steering Committee (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

53

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

North Carolina is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Carthage, NC 28327 Moore County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 11.6% (data source)
Non-White Students 38.3% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
North Carolina State Law

There is no state statute regulating released time for religious instruction, federal rulings still apply. "No-Statute" states function in theory the same way as "May-Law" states. School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

States with no statute for released time religious instruction are treated like "may" states. Released time programs would need to request approval from the local school board. School districts should not allow a released time program to operate in the district without a specific released time policy.

The federal case laws that mandate how released time functions should be followed. Zorach vs Clauson states:

School districts in states without a statute mandating a released time policy can choose not to allow released time or to coordinate with religious organizations seeking to remove students from school during the school day.

School districts should always have a policy indicating whether they coordinate with released-time religious instruction programs. Not having a policy at all and leaving it up to the released time program should never be the operating standard. This will open the district up to misinterpretation of its intent.

It is suggested that parents approach the school board and request that a released time religious instruction policy be implemented, even before a religious program approaches the district.

This does not encompass all legal requirements, and other legal opinions may exist. Please use this as a guide only.

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.

Share With Others Click to Copy Click to share
Schools in the District (23)
School Grades Period
Aberdeen Elementary
Cameron Elementary
Carthage Elementary
Connect Academy
Crain's Creek Middle
Elise Middle
Highfalls Elementary
Mcdeeds Creek Elementary
New Century Middle
Pinecrest High
Pinehurst Elementary
Robbins Elementary
Sandhills Farm Life Elementary
Southern Middle
Southern Pines Elementary
Southern Pines Primary
The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney
Union Pines High
Vass-Lakeview Elementary
West End Elementary
West Pine Elementary
West Pine Middle
Westmoore Elementary
13 schools not shown
Show/Hide All Schools
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
53
December 29, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
52
December 14, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
51
November 19, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
50
October 28, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
50
October 27, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
50
October 22, 2025
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
50
October 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
49
October 18, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
46
October 5, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
45
September 29, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
44
September 27, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
43
September 26, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
42
September 26, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
38
September 21, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
36
September 17, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
28
September 6, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
27
September 3, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
26
August 19, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
25
August 8, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
24
July 30, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
23
July 13, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
22
June 28, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
19
June 22, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
17
June 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
16
June 13, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
15
June 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
12
May 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
March 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
March 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
February 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
5
January 6, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
December 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
October 6, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
April 24, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.

 



Respect Public Schools
Contact Info
keithc@respectpublicschools.com
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2026
Paid for by Keith Comer