U.S. School District Sued Over Alleged Discrimination Against Christian Student Program

Everett, Washington — A school district in the U.S. state of Washington is facing a federal lawsuit over allegations that it discriminated against a Christian student program and imposed restrictive measures on elementary school pupils who participate in off-campus Bible instruction.

The lawsuit, filed on December 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, accuses Everett Public Schools of violating the First Amendment rights of students and parents associated with LifeWise Academy, a national nonprofit organization that provides parent-led, off-campus religious instruction during designated “released time” such as lunch or recess.

LifeWise Academy operates in multiple states across the United States, offering voluntary Bible education for students whose parents choose to enroll them. The program is conducted off school grounds and is designed to comply with U.S. constitutional guidelines regarding the separation of church and state.

According to the complaint, school officials in Everett allegedly treated LifeWise Academy participants as “second-class citizens” and subjected the program to unusually burdensome standards compared to other non-curricular student groups. The lawsuit further claims that a school board member openly admitted to holding “animus” toward the Christian program, suggesting bias in the district’s handling of LifeWise-related matters.

One of the most contentious allegations involves instructions reportedly given to elementary students participating in the program. The district is accused of forcing students to keep Bibles and other religious materials “sealed in an envelope” and hidden inside their backpacks while on school premises. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that this requirement stigmatized the students and amounted to viewpoint discrimination.

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The legal action has been brought by First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based nonprofit law firm that specializes in religious liberty cases, together with international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

“Public schools cannot single out religious students or groups for worse treatment simply because of their beliefs,” the lawsuit states, arguing that the district’s actions infringe on constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, religion, and equal protection.

The plaintiffs are seeking a court order barring Everett Public Schools from enforcing the disputed policies, as well as declaratory relief affirming that the district’s actions were unconstitutional.

As of publication, Everett Public Schools had not issued a detailed public response to the lawsuit. However, school districts in similar cases have often argued that their policies are intended to maintain neutrality and avoid the appearance of endorsing religion.

The case adds to a growing national debate in the United States over how public schools should accommodate voluntary religious activities while adhering to constitutional principles. Its outcome could have implications for how “released time” religious programs operate in school districts across the country.

Uganda Today will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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