The lawsuit filed Dec. 18 in federal court accuses Everett Public Schools of imposing discriminatory restrictions on LifeWise Academy, a parent-led off-campus Bible program. Plaintiffs say students were forced to keep Bibles and other materials sealed in backpacks, LifeWise was barred from school events and lobby displays, and parents must sign weekly permission slips. The complaint cites board director Charles Adkins' admission of "animus" toward LifeWise and relies on Supreme Court precedent protecting released-time religious instruction.
Federal Lawsuit Says Everett Schools Forced Students To Hide Bibles After Board Member Admitted 'Animus'
A federal lawsuit alleges a Washington school district denied equal access to a Christian club.
A Washington state school district is facing a federal lawsuit alleging unconstitutional treatment of a parent-led Bible program. The complaint, filed Dec. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, centers on LifeWise Academy, a national nonprofit that organizes off-campus, parent-led Bible instruction during so-called "released time" windows such as lunch or recess.
What Plaintiffs Allege
Attorneys with First Liberty Institute and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP say Everett Public Schools subjected LifeWise and participating students to discriminatory and burdensome restrictions "simply because it is religious." The suit alleges district officials barred LifeWise from participating in a school community fair, prohibited the group from displaying informational flyers in school lobbies where secular groups may post materials, and imposed a permission-slip rule that requires parents to provide new written authorization every week for students to attend off-campus lessons.
The complaint further alleges that school staff required elementary students to keep any LifeWise materials — including Bibles — sealed in envelopes and stored in backpacks for the remainder of the school day, making those materials inaccessible even during free periods when students are permitted to read secular items such as comic books.
LifeWise Academy has more than 300 public school programs operating in 12 states, with more than 35,000 students enrolled to learn about the Bible.
Board Remarks And Alleged Hostility
Plaintiffs say the restrictions reflect a broader pattern of hostility from district leaders, specifically naming Board Director Charles Adkins. According to the complaint, Adkins told the board at a Dec. 9 meeting that he held "animus" toward LifeWise Academy and criticized the organization in strong terms.
"I want to make it very, extremely, abundantly clear, that yes, I do in fact hold animus toward LifeWise Academy," Adkins said, calling the group "homophobic bullies" and accusing it of participating in efforts to bring about "an authoritarian theocracy." He urged resistance to what he described as "Christian nationalism, fascism and White supremacy."
Legal Context
LifeWise's lawyers argue the district's policies conflict with longstanding Supreme Court precedent. They cite the 1952 decision Zorach v. Clauson, which upheld released-time religious instruction as constitutional provided classes occur off school property, use no public funds and have parental consent. They also point to a June U.S. Supreme Court decision referenced in the complaint (Mahmoud v. Taylor) reaffirming that public schools may not impose unconstitutional burdens on religious exercise.
"School officials cannot prefer religion over nonreligion, nor may they throw obstacles in the path of parents simply trying to raise their children according to their religious convictions," said Jeremy Dys, senior counsel at First Liberty, in a press release. "Purposefully hindering the operation of an out-of-school program just because it’s religious is a direct violation of the First Amendment."
LifeWise Academy is a Christian ministry that operates Bible instruction classes during school hours as part of released time programs available in several states.
District Response
Everett Public Schools' attorneys reportedly called the allegations "factually inaccurate" in a Dec. 12 letter to LifeWise's counsel obtained by the Everett Herald. Sarah Mack, who represents the district, wrote that the district will "continue to evaluate any requests to participate in District-sponsored events or to distribute its materials in compliance with its policies and procedures which comport with state and federal laws," and that disagreement over those policies does not, by itself, render them unconstitutional.
As of publication, Everett Public Schools and Director Charles Adkins had not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Case Status
The lawsuit remains pending in federal court. If the plaintiffs prevail, the case could clarify how school districts may regulate access and participation for religious, out-of-school programs offered during released time.
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