Francis Howell R-III
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

75

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Missouri is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map ST CHARLES, MO 63304 St. Charles County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 4.0% (data source)
Non-White Students 25.1% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
Missouri 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 (23)
School Grades Period
Barnwell Middle
Becky-David Elem.
Bryan Middle
Castlio Elem.
Central Elem.
Daniel Boone Elem.
Early Child Family Educ. Ctr.
Early Child. Family Educ Ctr.
Early Child. Family Educ. Ctr
Fairmount Elem.
Francis Howell Central High
Francis Howell High
Francis Howell Middle
Francis Howell North High
FRANCIS HOWELL UNION HIGH
Harvest Ridge Elem.
Henderson Elem.
Hollenbeck Middle
Independence Elem.
John Weldon Elem.
Saeger Middle
Warren Elem.
Westwood Trail Academy
13 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
75
December 31, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
74
December 25, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
72
December 10, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
71
December 1, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
70
November 24, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
69
November 22, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
72
September 28, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
61
July 23, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
31
June 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
15
May 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
12
April 10, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
March 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
March 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
October 6, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
September 18, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
5
August 23, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
June 20, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
April 26, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
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