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Washington reforms that could tackle teacher sexual abuse
Lawmakers want clearer disclosure rules and tougher penalties after reporting found 45% of accused teachers surrendered their licenses.
- State Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, plans to introduce legislation closing gaps between K-12 and higher education laws after recent reports exposed school districts circumventing 'Don't Pass the Trash' regulations designed to prevent accused educators from teaching elsewhere.
- Washington's 2004 'Don't Pass the Trash' law aimed to prevent educators accused of sexual misconduct from quietly resigning to teach elsewhere, yet districts often use confidential separation agreements to bypass these legal requirements.
- Shoreline Community College hired Kevin Kukla after his Everett separation agreement limited disclosure of investigations into an inappropriate relationship he engaged in with a student at Jackson High School earlier this month.
- Personal injury lawyer Ashton Dennis, of the Washington Law Center, criticized the use of extended paid leave for accused teachers, calling such payments a 'golden parachute' that allows school districts to avoid public scrutiny.
- Pollet intends to mandate that employers verify an applicant's past misconduct across all educational levels, addressing the gap that previously allowed individuals to secure new positions despite active investigations or pending allegations.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Issaquah Reporter+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
Washington reforms that could tackle teacher sexual abuse
WA was the first to enact “Don’t Pass the Trash” legislation two decades ago.
·Issaquah, United States
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
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