Rutherford High School
Step 9 of 10
Execute the Plan (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

22

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Florida is a
"Shall" state

Learn more about state laws.

Lifewise Enrollment
Location Map Panama City, FL 32401 Bay County
School District Bay
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Last Updated October 20, 2026
Florida State Law

Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt policies authorizing a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for:
1. Religious instruction or religious holidays.

Notes

(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt policies authorizing a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for: 1. Religious instruction or religious holidays.

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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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 9
Execute the Plan
22
April 16, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
21
January 20, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
84
January 4, 2026
Step 9
Execute the Plan
83
December 24, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
82
September 16, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
79
July 28, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
79
April 22, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
79
January 6, 2025
Step 5
Draft a Plan
60
November 30, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
52
September 27, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
51
August 30, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
51
August 23, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
50
August 13, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
47
July 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
July 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
July 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
46
July 25, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
19
July 17, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
July 17, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
July 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
June 30, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
9
June 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
June 16, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
May 22, 2024
 
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