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

94

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

North Carolina is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Morganton, NC 28655 Burke County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 23.0% (data source)
Non-White Students 38.0% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
North Carolina 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 (21)
School Grades Period
Burke Middle College
Burke Virtual Academy
Drexel Elementary
East Burke Middle
George Hildebrand Elementary
Glen Alpine Elementary
Hallyburton Academy
Hildebran Elementary
Hillcrest Elementary
Icard Elementary
Jimmy C Draughn High School
Liberty Middle
Mull Elementary
North Liberty
Oak Hill Elementary
Ray Childers Elementary
Robert L. Patton High School
Salem Elementary
Valdese Elementary
W A Young Elementary
Walter R Johnson Middle
11 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
94
January 15, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
93
January 3, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
92
December 18, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
91
November 21, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
90
November 14, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
89
November 10, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
88
October 11, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
87
October 1, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
85
September 27, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
79
September 23, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
78
September 21, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
77
September 19, 2025
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
53
September 15, 2025
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
52
September 14, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
48
September 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
47
August 12, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
46
August 7, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
45
August 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
44
July 23, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
40
June 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
38
April 30, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
37
April 22, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
29
April 10, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
26
March 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
24
March 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
21
February 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
18
February 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
15
January 18, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
December 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
December 13, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
October 9, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
June 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
June 16, 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