Union County Public Schools
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

125

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

North Carolina is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Monroe, NC 28112 Union County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 8.8% (data source)
Non-White Students 46.9% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 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 (52)
School Step Description Grades Period Signatures
Antioch ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
Benton Heights ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Central Academy Of Technology And ArtsStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Cuthbertson HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
Cuthbertson MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
East ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
East Union MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
Fairview ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Forest Hills HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Hemby Bridge ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
Indian Trail ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Kensington ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 7
Marshville ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Marvin ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Marvin Ridge HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Marvin Ridge MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Monroe HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 4
Monroe MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
New Salem ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
New Town ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Parkwood HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
Parkwood MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Piedmont HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 8
Piedmont MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
Poplin ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Porter Ridge ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
Porter Ridge High SchoolStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Porter Ridge Middle SchoolStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Prospect ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
Rea View ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Rock Rest ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Rocky River ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Sandy Ridge ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Sardis ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Shiloh Valley ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
Shiloh Valley Primary SchoolStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
South ProvidenceStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Stallings ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Sun Valley HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 8
Sun Valley MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
Union County Early CollegeStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Union ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Unionville ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 7
Walter Bickett ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Weddington ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Weddington HighStep 6 Obtain School Approval 3
Weddington MiddleStep 6 Obtain School Approval 1
Wesley Chapel ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 2
Western Union ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Wingate ElementaryStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Wolfe SchoolStep 6 Obtain School Approval 0
Waxhaw ElementaryStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 1
42 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
125
January 8, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
124
January 2, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
123
December 15, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
122
November 24, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
121
January 6, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
70
December 31, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
69
October 22, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
61
October 7, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
58
September 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
46
September 17, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
August 2, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
9
July 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
June 20, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
7
May 4, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
April 25, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
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