South Kitsap School District
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
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174

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Washington is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map PORT ORCHARD, WA 98366 Kitsap County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 8.3% (data source)
Non-White Students 35.7% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
Washington 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.

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Schools in the District (17)
School Grades Period
Burley Glenwood Elementary
Cedar Heights Middle School
Discovery
East Port Orchard Elementary
Explorer Academy
Hidden Creek Elementary School
John Sedgwick Middle School
Madrona Heights
Marcus Whitman Middle School
Mullenix Ridge Elementary School
Olalla Elementary School
Orchard Heights Elementary
Pacific Northwest Connections Academy
Sidney Glen Elementary School
South Colby Elementary
South Kitsap High School
Sunnyslope Elementary School
7 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
174
January 18, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
173
January 17, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
171
January 14, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
169
January 13, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
167
January 8, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
166
December 30, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
165
December 19, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
164
November 19, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
163
November 17, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
143
November 14, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
139
May 20, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
53
April 30, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
50
April 22, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
42
April 10, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
40
March 29, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
37
March 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
27
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
26
November 12, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
April 26, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
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