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

62

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

West Virginia is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map KEYSER, WV 26726 Mineral County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 16.6% (data source)
Non-White Students 7.1% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
West Virginia State Law

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

Full Law Text Link to State Law

§18-8-1. Compulsory school attendance; exemptions.

(j) A child is exempt from the compulsory school attendance requirement set forth in §18-8-1a of this code if the requirements of this subsection, relating to church ordinances and observances of regular church ordinances, are met. The county board may approve exemption for religious instruction upon written request of the person having legal or actual charge of a child or children. This exemption is subject to the rules prescribed by the county superintendent and approved by the county board.

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 (13)
School Grades Period
Burlington Primary
Elk Garden School
Fort Ashby Primary School
Fountain Primary School
Frankfort High School
Frankfort Intermediate School
Frankfort Middle School
Keyser High School
Keyser Middle School
Keyser Primary School
MINERAL COUNTY ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM
New Creek Primary School
Wiley Ford Primary School
3 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
62
January 12, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
61
January 5, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
60
December 21, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
58
December 6, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
57
October 4, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
55
March 4, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
54
January 4, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
53
July 9, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
51
June 6, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
51
May 11, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
43
May 1, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
41
April 26, 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