Vancouver School District
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

126

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Washington is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map VANCOUVER, WA 98661 Clark County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 10.6% (data source)
Non-White Students 47.4% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 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 (40)
School Grades Period
Alki Middle School
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Chinook Elementary School
Columbia River High
Discovery Middle School
Dwight D Eisenhower Elementary
Early Childhood Education Center
Felida Elementary School
Fruit Valley Elementary School
Gaiser Middle School
Gate Work Study Program
George C Marshall Elementary
Harney Elementary School
Harry S Truman Elementary School
Hazel Dell Elementary School
Hough Elementary School
Hudson's Bay High School
Jason Lee Middle School
Jim Tangeman Center
Lake Shore Elementary
Lewis And Clark High School
Lincoln Elementary School
Martin Luther King Elementary
Mcloughlin Middle School
Minnehaha Elementary School
Open Doors
Peter S Ogden Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary School
Sacajawea Elementary School
Salmon Creek Elementary
Sarah J Anderson Elementary
Skyview High School
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Vancouver Contracted Programs
Vancouver Home Connection
Vancouver Itech Preparatory
Vancouver School Of Arts And Academics
Vancouver Virtual Learning Academy
Walnut Grove Elementary
Washington Elementary
30 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
126
January 18, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
125
January 16, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
86
January 3, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
85
December 23, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
84
December 12, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
82
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Step 5
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65
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Step 5
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64
December 5, 2025
Step 5
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63
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Step 5
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62
November 23, 2025
Step 5
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61
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Step 4
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61
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60
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59
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57
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56
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55
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Step 2
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Step 1
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Step 0
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