Edison Township School District
Step 1 of 10
Collect 50 Signatures (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

15

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

New Jersey is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Edison, NJ 08837 Middlesex County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 6.1% (data source)
Non-White Students 90.8% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
New Jersey 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.

Share With Others Click to Copy Click to share
Schools in the District (18)
School Step Description Grades Period Signatures
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
Edison Early Learning Center
Edison High School
Franklin D Roosevelt School
James Madison Intermediate School
James Madison Primary School
James Monroe Elementary School
John Adams Middle School
John Marshall Elementary School
John P. Stevens High School
Lincoln Elementary School
Lindeneau Elementary School
Martin Luther King Elementary School
Menlo Park Elementary School
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Washington Elementary School
Woodbrook Elementary School
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
8 schools not shown
0
Show/Hide All Schools
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
15
January 11, 2026
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
14
June 25, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
13
June 20, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
12
April 25, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.

 



Respect Public Schools
Contact Info
keithc@respectpublicschools.com
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2026
Paid for by Keith Comer