Parents and residents press Everett Public Schools board over Lifewise program, board says it will review

Five residents and several board members used the Everett Public Schools board meeting on July 1 to raise concerns about Lifewise, a program operating at Emerson Elementary that critics say blends religious teaching with student activities.

During public comment, resident Terry Ambergi said Lifewise "will gradually teach them that they do not follow their Lifewise interpretation of the biblical teachings and that those people will go to hell forever," adding that the program’s "acceptance is conditional" and that the district could face legal action for endorsing a religious program. Resident Tim Feuerteg said the absence of a districtwide policy for third‑party programs had "allowed a specific program to occur at Emerson Elementary" and urged the board to show evidence of collaboration with concerned families and community groups. Jennifer Phillips McClellan and Kate Mallahan described fears that the program could single out or bully children who are Jewish or LGBTQ.

Board members and district leaders told speakers they heard the concerns. Superintendent Dr. Robert Saltzman told the board and public the district is "looking into this effort" and said the board welcomes comments. In board comments earlier in the meeting, Director Atkins said Lifewise and "its mission to bring white supremacy and Christian nationalism to our schools cannot be allowed to have access to our kids," and urged fellow board members not to be "complicit" by standing idly by.

Why this matters: Speakers framed the issue around separation of church and state, student safety, and equity. The district’s public comment rules — read aloud at the meeting — limit the period to 15 minutes total, with five speakers allotted three minutes each; board members do not respond to individual comments during that period. The board did not take any formal action on Lifewise at the July 1 meeting; the district said it will continue to review input.

What was said and what happened: The board’s public comment segment began with a procedural preamble by Board President Mitchell explaining time limits and the purpose of the forum. Ambergi, Feuerteg, Lawrence Balon, Jennifer Phillips McClellan and Kate Mallahan each addressed the board. Their remarks ranged from concerns about recess and lunchtime supervision to direct allegations that Lifewise promotes a single religious viewpoint and may imperil LGBTQ students. Director Atkins, in board comments before public comment, made a prepared statement opposing Lifewise on broader civic grounds and said his experience at a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school informed his opposition.

No policy change or motion was introduced at the meeting. The board’s stated next steps were to continue to gather public input and "look into" the concerns raised; no staff assignment, timeline, or formal investigation was announced during the meeting.

Community context: Commenters named Emerson Elementary as the site where the program has been used. Speakers invoked broader civil‑liberties concepts — including separation of church and state — and asked for district‑level policy clarifications for third‑party programming. The board’s public comment protocol and its statement that it will review input were the only concrete process steps mentioned.

For now: Parents and other residents who spoke asked the district to clarify what oversight exists for outside providers working in schools, and to report back with evidence of collaboration with families and stakeholders. The board did not vote or direct staff to a specific course of action on Lifewise during the July 1 meeting.