Bryant School District
Step 8 of 10
Train Your Team (Step Descriptions)
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63

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State Law

Arkansas is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map BRYANT, AR 72022 Saline County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 11.3% (data source)
Non-White Students 46.4% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
Arkansas 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 (12)
School Grades Period
Bethel Middle School
Bryant Elementary School
Bryant High School
Bryant Junior High School
Bryant Middle School
Collegeville Elementary School
Hill Farm Elementary School
Hurricane Creek Elementary
Parkway Elementary School
Robert L. Davis Elem. School
Salem Elementary School
Springhill Elementary School
2 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 8
Train Your Team
63
September 23, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
61
July 23, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
58
June 15, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
55
May 9, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
54
April 22, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
53
April 10, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
51
March 20, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
50
March 4, 2025
Step 1
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48
February 15, 2025
Step 1
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47
December 31, 2024
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45
December 13, 2024
Step 1
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44
November 12, 2024
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43
October 7, 2024
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42
September 27, 2024
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23
September 17, 2024
Step 1
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19
September 9, 2024
Step 1
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6
August 13, 2024
Step 1
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3
April 25, 2024
Step 0
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0
March 17, 2024
 
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