Everett Public Schools settles with LifeWise, allows student Bible study time
Everett Public Schools reached a settlement with the non‑profit LifeWise on Oct. 15, 2026, agreeing to grant students release‑time for voluntary Bible study, issue a public apology, and pay $275,000 in attorney’s fees.
The deal ends a federal lawsuit that alleged the district discriminated against LifeWise’s off‑site program, prompting a preliminary injunction in April that barred the school from restricting religious‑education activities. By settling, the board seeks to comply with constitutional requirements while avoiding further litigation.
Under the agreement, board members will complete religious‑liberty training and the district will revise policies governing religious activities to ensure neutral treatment of faith‑based programs. The updated release‑time guidelines will allow students to attend LifeWise classes at New Hope Assembly church during lunch or recess, provided parents give consent and the program remains privately funded.
LifeWise, which operates at an estimated 1,200 schools nationwide, had cited “burdensome permission‑slip processes,” restrictions on distributing literature, and exclusion from community resource fairs as obstacles to participation. Attorney Holly Randall of First Liberty Institute, which represented LifeWise, called the settlement “a victory for students’ and families’ First Amendment rights.” LifeWise CEO Joel Penton described it as “a welcome victory for Everett families who simply want the freedom to choose Bible education for their children during school hours.”
The district’s apology acknowledged “offensive and hurtful” comments made by board members about the program, including remarks that suggested animus toward the families involved. Superintendent Ian Saltzman and board directors signed the statement, affirming the district’s commitment to “ensure that its policies and practices are administered consistently, neutrally, and in accordance with applicable law.”
Implementation of the settlement will begin immediately, with the board slated to schedule the required training and finalize revised policy language. The district says it will monitor compliance and report any issues to the court, aiming to uphold both religious liberty and the separation of church and state in its schools.
