8legs: U.s. district court for the western district of washington

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Judge orders Washington school district to loosen limits on off-campus Bible club for public school students

A federal judge ordered Everett Public Schools to allow LifeWise to join community fairs and display flyers as part of a partial injunction.
LifeWise alleges district officials restricted access to Bible materials and required concealment in backpacks.
The ruling references the 1952 Zorach v. Clauson decision and notes off-campus, funded-free programs with parental consent can be constitutional.
LifeWise operates Bible instruction programs during school hours in several states and characterized the district’s actions as discriminatory toward religion.
The court did not grant all LifeWise requests, such as year-long permissions or broader access to Peachjar.
First Liberty Institute and LifeWise said the ruling protects religious activity against discriminatory district policies.
Everett Public Schools said it is reviewing the order and will follow legal steps as litigation continues.
LifeWise argues district policies that restricted religious activity breached decades of legal precedent.
The injunction involves a student release-time program allowed under public funding rules.
The case centers on access to materials, pickup permissions, and fair treatment of religious groups in schools.
LifeWise representatives lauded the ruling as halting discrimination toward religious groups.

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