A federal judge ordered Everett Public Schools to allow an off-campus Bible program greater access to students while a lawsuit over religious rights moves forward.
US District Judge Lauren King issued a preliminary injunction Friday, May 1, in favor of LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit that offers Bible instruction to public school students during non-instructional time, according to court records.
The ruling requires the district to allow LifeWise to participate in community resource fairs, distribute flyers on school property, adjust its permission slip process, and permit students to read LifeWise materials during times when other non-school materials are allowed.
The injunction is temporary and does not resolve the case, which is scheduled to go to trial in 2027.
LifeWise sued Everett Public Schools in December 2025, alleging the district violated its free speech and religious expression rights. The nonprofit claimed it was excluded from school events, restricted from sharing information with families, and subject to policies that limited student access to its materials.
In her ruling, King wrote that LifeWise is likely to succeed on several of its claims, including allegations that the district engaged in viewpoint discrimination by excluding the group from opportunities offered to others.
“The District has allowed entities to present their resources to students and families if they are secular, but precluded LifeWise from presenting a resource… through a religious perspective,” King wrote in the order.
King also found issues with the district’s policy requiring LifeWise materials to remain sealed in backpacks, calling it overly broad. The ruling now allows students to read those materials during appropriate times of the school day.
The court also directed the district to revise its permission slip process, allowing parents to approve participation for a full semester under certain conditions.
Attorneys for LifeWise praised the decision.
“We are grateful that the court has put a halt to the open and intentional acts of discrimination toward LifeWise by the Everett School District,” Jeremy Dys, senior counsel at the First Liberty Institute, said in a statement.
Everett Public Schools said it is reviewing the ruling and considering its next steps.
“This case is still in active litigation and is not the final order from the court,” district spokesperson Harmony Weinberg said in a statement. “The district will continue to follow the legal process and the orders from the court. Everett Public Schools remains committed to serving all students.”
The lawsuit centers on how public schools can regulate outside organizations while balancing constitutional protections for free speech and religion. A final decision is expected after trial or a potential settlement.
Want more local news? Follow Puget Press Everett on Facebook.
