Springfield R-Xii
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

50

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Missouri is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802 Greene County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 16.5% (data source)
Non-White Students 30.3% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated April 16, 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 (55)
School Step Description Grades Period Signatures
Wilson's Creek 5-6 Inter. Ctr.Step 5 Obtain School Approval 115
Bingham Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Bowerman Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Central HighStep 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Field Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Glendale HighStep 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Hillcrest HighStep 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
JUVENILE JUSTICE CTR. Collect 50 Signatures
Kickapoo HighStep 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Pershing MiddleStep 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Pleasant View Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Sequiota Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Sunshine Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
Truman Elem.Step 5 Collect 50 Signatures 115
ADAH FULBRIGHT EARLY CHILDHOOD No Progress
Bissett Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Boyd Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Campbell Elem. No Progress
Carver MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Cherokee MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Cowden Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
David Harrison ElementaryStep 5 No Progress 115
Delaware Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Fremont Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Gray Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Hickory Hills Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Hickory Hills MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Holland Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Horace Mann Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Jarrett MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Jeffries Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Mark Twain Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Mcbride Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Mcgregor Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Parkview HighStep 5 No Progress 115
Pershing Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Phelps Gifted Ctr. No Progress
Pipkin MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Pittman Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Pleasant View MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Reed MiddleStep 5 No Progress 115
Robberson Elem. No Progress
Rountree Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Shady Dell Early Childhood Ctr No Progress
Sherwood Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
STUDY ALTERNATIVE HIGH No Progress
Walt Disney Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Watkins Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Weaver Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Weller Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Westport Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Westport Middle SchoolStep 5 No Progress 115
Wilder Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
Williams Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
York Elem.Step 5 No Progress 115
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
50
April 16, 2026
 
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