Ohio County Schools
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

333

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

West Virginia is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map WHEELING, WV 26003 Ohio County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 15.6% (data source)
Non-White Students 16.4% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 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.

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Schools in the District (13)
School Grades Period
Bethlehem Elementary School
Bridge Street Middle School
Elm Grove Elementary School
Madison Elementary School
Middle Creek Elementary School
Ritchie Elementary School
Steenrod Elementary School
Triadelphia Middle School
Warwood School
West Liberty Elementary School
Wheeling Middle School
Wheeling Park High School
Woodsdale Elementary School
3 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
333
December 11, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
332
November 14, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
327
October 7, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
133
September 17, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
134
September 10, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
98
August 30, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
80
August 23, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
75
August 14, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
73
August 1, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
69
July 25, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
68
July 17, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
21
June 25, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
12
June 20, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
9
April 26, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
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