Parents, staff and faith leaders urge Everett School Board to end weekly release-time pullouts for Lifewise Academy

Dozens of parents, volunteers, faith leaders and other community members used the public-comment period at the Everett Public Schools board of directors' May 27 meeting to oppose Lifewise Academy and similar release-time religious instruction (RTRI) programs that pull students off campus during the school day.

Speakers said the program removes groups of students—several commenters estimated “over 50” pupils—on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for about 40 minutes, that buses load and unload in front of school buildings, and that the absences interrupt recess, lunch and classroom instruction. "My child loves school and feels the same way. Unfortunately, the introduction this year of Lifewise Academy . . . parks in front of the school. On those days dozens of students wearing matching red shirts miss valuable…