Johnston County Public Schools
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125

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State Law

North Carolina is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Smithfield, NC 27577 Johnston County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 13.8% (data source)
Non-White Students 55.0% (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.

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Schools in the District (48)
School Grades Period
Archer Lodge Middle
Benson Elementary
Benson Middle
Choice Plus Academy
Clayton High
Clayton Middle
Cleveland Elementary
Cleveland High
Cleveland Middle
Cooper Academy
Corinth Holders High
Corinth-Holders Elementary
Dixon Road Elementary
East Clayton Elementary
Four Oaks Elementary
Four Oaks Middle
Glendale-Kenly Elementary
JCPS Virtual Academy
Johnston Co Early College Academy
Johnston County Schools Career Technical
Mcgee's Crossroads Elem
Mcgee's Crossroads Middle
Meadow School
Micro Elementary
North Johnston High
North Johnston Middle
Pine Level Elementary
Polenta Elementary
Powhatan Elementary
Princeton Elementary
Princeton High
River Dell Elementary
Riverwood Elementary
Riverwood Middle
Selma Elementary
Selma Middle School
Smithfield Middle
Smithfield-Selma High
South Johnston High
South Smithfield Elementary
Swift Creek Middle
Thanksgiving Elementary
The Innovation Academy At South Campus
West Clayton Elementary
West Johnston High
West Smithfield Elementary
West View Elementary
Wilson's Mills Elementary
38 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
125
January 18, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
123
January 17, 2026
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122
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Step 5
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