Pocahontas County Schools
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Form a Steering Committee (Step Descriptions)
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50

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State Law

West Virginia is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map BUCKEYE, WV 24924 Pocahontas County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 22.9% (data source)
Non-White Students 2.1% (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 (5)
School Grades Period
Green Bank Elementary-Middle School
Hillsboro Elementary School
Marlinton Elementary School
Marlinton Middle School
Pocahontas County High School
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
50
November 28, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
50
November 26, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
42
November 23, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
32
November 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
31
November 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
28
November 5, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
25
November 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
21
October 30, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
October 29, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
October 27, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
October 22, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
October 18, 2025
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
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