The Everett (Wash.) school district has approved a settlement agreement with LifeWise Academy, a religious-education nonprofit that had sued the district on First Amendment grounds.
LifeWise runs voluntary Bible classes in schools during lunch and recess. The Everett Herald reported Oct. 14 that the nonprofit had accused Everett Public Schools of restricting its program by, among other actions, requiring students to keep LifeWise materials “sealed in backpacks.”
In an interview with Fox News Digital, LifeWise CEO Joel Penton said “children felt like they were being told they had to hide their faith when they were told they had to put their Bibles and things in envelopes as though it was something to be ashamed of.”
The district agreed to pay $275,000 in attorneys’ fees.
See also: Released Time
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