Everett School District Settles After Religious Nonprofit Sues Over Violation of First Amendment Rights 

A religious education nonprofit has settled its lawsuit against the Everett School District in Washington state after suing the district for violating its First Amendment rights.  

The Everett School District, whose board director admitted “animus” toward LifeWise Academy will be required “to undergo religious liberty training, make changes to district policies governing religious activities, issue a public written apology on the district’s website visible for six months, and pay $275,000 in attorney’s fees.” 

The district settled despite saying LifeWise’s claims were untrue and that their own actions were reasonable and neutral.  

LifeWise is a Chrisitan education program that provides Biblical teaching off campus to public school students during school hours. In January 2025, LifeWise began offering their courses to students at Emerson Elementary School in the Everett Public School District.  

According to the suit, the Everett School District began imposing exclusive restrictions on LifeWise Academy. The district excluded LifeWise from events and flyer displays, required weekly parental authorization, and obligated students to keep LifeWise materials sealed in their backpacks. 

In November 2025, LifeWise sent a letter to the school board protesting the unfair treatment. In reply, Everett School Board member Charles Adkins stated, “I want to make it very, extremely, abundantly clear, that yes, I do in fact hold animus toward LifeWise Academy. … It is an organization of homophobic bullies who are active and willing participants in the efforts to bring about an authoritarian theocracy.” 

Other members and commenters have criticized LifeWise at school board meetings, some even comparing LifeWise to the Nazi Party. One commenter stated that LifeWise is “a very dangerous program.” Many others protested against LifeWise as they viewed it as a religious indoctrination program. 

With the aid of First Liberty Institute and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, LifeWise filed a complaint against Everett Public School District on Dec. 18, 2025. The letter stated that the treatment of LifeWise violated the First Amendment because they received “different and worse treatment” than similar secular groups. 

The complaint confirmed that LifeWise did not interfere with school as their courses were offered during free periods and recess. LifeWise also did not violate any rules as they taught off campus with parental authorization. 

Sarah Sweeny, the head of LifeWise at Emerson Elementary School and a plaintiff in the case, stated in the complaint that LifeWise helps her provide sufficient religious instruction to her children. Taking this resource away from Sweeny infringes on her First Amendment right to freedom of religion. 

On April 24, 2026, LifeWise filed a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Everett Public School District from making unequal requirements. LifeWise mainly wished to be permitted to attend community fairs, display flyers, and use LifeWise materials at school. 

Some of these requests were granted while certain requirements remained intact. However, the final resolution came this week when the Everett school board voted to settle the case.  

CEO of LifeWise Joel Penton declared “victory,” adding, “Religious release time programs such as LifeWise should be accessible to all families on a consistent basis. This program exists because parents in Everett and across the country are asking for it. Families see the positive impact that Bible-based character education during school hours can have on student behavior and academic performance. We simply want to protect a program that is already serving dozens of local families and ensure that parental freedom is respected.” 

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