Northshore School District
Step 7 of 10
Recruit Your Team (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

122

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Washington is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map BOTHELL, WA 98021 Snohomish County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 3.9% (data source)
Non-White Students 53.2% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
Washington 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 (36)
School Grades Period
Arrowhead Elementary
Bear Creek Elementary
Bothell High School
C O Sorenson
Canyon Creek Elementary
Canyon Park Middle School
Cottage Lake Elementary
Crystal Springs Elementary
East Ridge Elementary
Fernwood Elementary
Frank Love Elementary
Hollywood Hill Elementary
Inglemoor Hs
Innovation Lab High School
Kenmore Elementary
Kenmore Middle School
Kokanee Elementary
Leota Middle School
Lockwood Elementary
Maywood Hills Elementary
Moorlands Elementary
North Creek High School
Northshore Middle School
Northshore Online Reengagement Program
Northshore Special Services
Ruby Bridges Elementary
Secondary Academy for Success
Shelton View Elementary
Sunrise Elementary
Timbercrest Middle School
Wellington Elementary
Westhill Elementary
Woodin Elementary
Woodinville Community Center
Woodinville Hs
Woodmoor Elementary
26 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
122
January 18, 2026
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
121
January 9, 2026
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
120
December 7, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
119
November 23, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
118
November 20, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
118
November 17, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
116
November 14, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
107
March 28, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
92
August 30, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
72
July 31, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
70
July 26, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
69
July 8, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
68
July 1, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
65
June 20, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
57
May 17, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
57
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
46
April 4, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
38
March 25, 2024
 
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