In a federal lawsuit filed on Dec. 7 against Bellingham Public Schools, a former Squalicum High School student alleges that three members of the administration failed to report allegations of sexual assault. The suit calls the actions “a pattern of extreme and outrageous conduct” that resulted in the student experiencing extreme emotional distress.
Also on Dec. 7, three Bellingham Public Schools assistant principals were criminally cited for failure to report, a gross misdemeanor, Bellingham Police said, and will appear in Whatcom County District Court.
The federal civil rights suit alleges that starting in October 2021, a male student repeatedly sexually assaulted and attempted to coerce the now 16-year-old victim to perform sexual acts while also degrading the victim in private and in the presence of other students.
News of the criminal citations broke on Friday, Dec. 9, and Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker released a statement that said the three staff members “are continuing to work for our district in their normal capacity, and they have our support to do so.”
Squalicum High School students led a walk-out on Monday in response. Hundreds of students participated in the protest, demanding accountability and follow-through from the administration, and calling attention to no-contact forms, which they said have not been respected.
“We had a protest because we wanted to spark change. Our admin hasn’t really been supportive toward students,” Keston Ellers, Squalicum student and member of the associated student body, said on Monday. “When we ask them for help on anything, they’re hesitant and avoidant.”
Squalicum High School Principal Miquel Perez released a statement to families after Monday’s walk-out, and said the school was taking steps to address students’ concerns.
On Jan. 14, the plaintiff made a report to Squalicum Assistant Principal Jeremy Louzao, then a dean of students, who the suit alleges responded with, “What do you want me to do about it?” Louzao failed to report the incident, the complaint stated.
Three days later, the plaintiff reported the assaults to Squalicum Assistant Principal Meghan Dunham, also a dean of students at the time, who did not respond to the student or report the incident, the complaint states.
On the same day, the student reported the sexual assaults to then-Squalicum Assistant Principal Chimere Hackney, now an assistant principal at Bellingham High School. Hackney allegedly put the victim and the perpetrator in a “restorative circle,” left the two students alone in a room together and told them to “shake hands and you’ll be fine.” Hackney did not report the incident, the complaint states.
Professional school personnel are required by law (RCW 26.44.030) to report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families.
On Feb. 2, the victim went to the Bellingham Police Department to report the allegations. On Feb. 16, the police arrested the male student, according to a police report. He was charged with indecent liberties, a Class A felony, and the case is still pending in the Whatcom County Superior Court, according to the complaint.
In spring 2022, the victim transferred to a different high school.
The suit is filed on grounds of violations of civil rights, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit states Louzao’s, Dunham’s and Hackney’s actions resulted in severe emotional distress for the student and violated her civil rights, as defined by Title IX. The suit also alleges that the district failed to ensure that employees had adequate training on the duty to report sexual abuse.
The plaintiff and her lawyer have requested a jury trial and a reward for “equitable relief.”
Bellingham Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is a developing story.
