Chesapeake City Pblc Schs
Step 5 of 10
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86

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Virginia is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Chesapeake, VA 23322 Chesapeake city
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 11.3% (data source)
Non-White Students 57.1% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
Virginia 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 (47)
School Grades Period
B M Williams Primary
Butts Road Int
Butts Road Primary
Camelot Elem
Cedar Road Elem
CHESAPEAKE CAREER CENTER
CHESAPEAKE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
Crestwood Intermediate
Crestwood Middle
Deep Creek Central Elem
Deep Creek Elem
Deep Creek High
Deep Creek Middle
Edwin W Chittum Elem
G A Treakle Elem
George W Carver Int
Georgetown Primary
Grassfield Elem
Grassfield High
GRASSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNOR'S STEM ACADEMY
Great Bridge High
Great Bridge Int
Great Bridge Middle
Great Bridge Primary
Greenbrier Int.
Greenbrier Middle
Greenbrier Primary
Hickory Elem
Hickory High
Hickory Middle
Hugo A Owens Middle
Indian River High
Jolliff Middle
Norfolk Highlands Primary
Oscar F Smith High
Oscar Smith Middle
Portlock Primary
Rena B Wright Primary
Southeastern Elem
Southwestern Elem
Sparrow Road Intermediate
Thurgood Marshall Elem
Truitt Intermediate
Western Branch High
Western Branch Int
Western Branch Middle
Western Branch Primary
37 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 5
Draft a Plan
86
January 16, 2026
Step 5
Draft a Plan
84
January 9, 2026
Step 5
Draft a Plan
82
December 20, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
81
December 18, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
80
November 22, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
79
November 17, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
79
October 27, 2025
Step 4
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77
October 21, 2025
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75
October 13, 2025
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74
October 13, 2025
Step 4
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73
October 4, 2025
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72
October 1, 2025
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71
September 20, 2025
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68
September 15, 2025
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67
May 20, 2025
Step 4
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66
March 4, 2025
Step 4
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65
December 31, 2024
Step 4
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64
October 9, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
June 16, 2024
 
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