Farmington School District
Step 10 of 10
Open for Enrollment (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

217

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Arkansas is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Lifewise Enrollment
Location Map FARMINGTON, AR 72730 Washington County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 6.6% (data source)
Non-White Students 23.0% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 2026
Arkansas 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 (5)
School Grades Period
Bob Folsom Elementary School
Farmington High School
Farmington Jr High Freshman Academy
Jerry Pop Williams Elem Sch
Randall G. Lynch Middle School
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active
Director Tara Hughes tarahughes@lifewise.org Yes

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
217
October 28, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
217
April 22, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
208
March 20, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
208
April 25, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
203
March 25, 2024
 
 
Enrollment Data
School Enrollment Lifewise Enrollment % Date
No enrollment information
School/district enrollment numbers from https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
Lifewise enrollment numbers come from social media, newsletters, press, and public record requests. Contact RPS with enrollment numbers.
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Church Brand New Church 512 W Main St 512 W Main St Farmington, AR 72730 https://www.brandnewchurch.com/

 



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