Columbia County
Step 4 of 10
Form a Steering Committee (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

67

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Georgia is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Evans, GA 30809 Columbia County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 7.6% (data source)
Non-White Students 47.6% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
Georgia 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 (30)
School Grades Period
Baker Place Elementary
Blue Ridge Elementary School
Brookwood Elementary School
Cedar Ridge Elementary School
Columbia Middle School
Euchee Creek Elementary School
Evans Elementary School
Evans High School
Evans Middle School
Greenbrier Elementary School
Greenbrier High School
Greenbrier Middle School
Grovetown Elementary School
Grovetown High School
Grovetown Middle School
Harlem High School
Harlem Middle School
Lakeside High School
Lakeside Middle School
Lewiston Elementary School
Martinez Elementary School
North Columbia Elementary School
North Harlem Elementary School
Parkway Elementary School
River Ridge Elementary
Riverside Middle School
South Columbia Elementary School
Stallings Island Middle School
Stevens Creek Elementary School
Westmont Elementary School
20 schools not shown
Show/Hide All Schools
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
67
January 18, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
65
January 15, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
63
January 9, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
62
January 7, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
61
January 2, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
60
December 24, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
58
December 23, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
57
November 26, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
56
November 14, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
54
October 28, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
53
October 25, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
52
October 22, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
51
October 2, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
50
September 27, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
47
September 21, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
46
September 18, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
44
September 16, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
39
September 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
38
August 21, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
37
August 16, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
36
August 13, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
32
August 10, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
31
August 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
30
August 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
29
July 23, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
26
June 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
25
May 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
22
May 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
21
April 30, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
19
March 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
18
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
17
December 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
16
June 20, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
May 17, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
9
May 2, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
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