School District Ordered to Apologize, Pay $275k for Forcing Kids to Hide Bibles

LifeSiteNews staff : Oct 19, 2026
LifeSiteNews.com

Students were told to put Bibles in envelopes at school in Everett, Washington, 'as though it was something to be ashamed of,' the head of a Bible-based education program in the district said.

[LifeSiteNews.com] A Washington state school district must publicly apologize, pay $275,000 in attorney's fees, and undergo religious liberty training after a lawsuit challenged policies that required elementary school students to hide their Bibles in sealed envelopes while at school and new policies made attending Bible study off campus a laborious task. (Image: Pexels)

Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy, told Fox News Digital that "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, and I know that was very hurtful as well." 

According to an announcement by LifeWise Academy that offers a Bible-based character education program for students in the Everett School District, the agreement requires the district's Board of Directors 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.

"This settlement is a welcome victory for Everett families who simply want the freedom to choose Bible education for their children," Penton said. "Parents and students deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of their religious beliefs. We appreciate the district's commitment to equal treatment and its agreement to issue a public apology. We look forward to moving ahead and continuing to serve the Everett community with Bible-based character education during school hours."... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Continue reading Here.