Dec 23, 2024 Story by: Editor
ELLENSBURG — Following an in-depth investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice determined that the Ellensburg School District failed to protect students from discrimination and harassment, leading to a 19-page settlement agreement aimed at fostering a safer and more supportive environment.
The agreement, announced Thursday, seeks to “prevent and address harassment and create a healthier and supportive environment for student learning and development,” stated Vanessa Waldref, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
The Justice Department launched its investigation in August 2023 after receiving a formal complaint. Conducted by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation revealed that Black and Latinx students faced severe harassment, including verbal abuse, intimidation, physical assaults, and even death threats.
According to the findings, some students avoided certain areas of campus, withdrew from school activities, or even left the district due to the lack of adequate response from school officials.
In February, federal attorneys held public forums at the Odd Fellows Lodge, gathering input from over 60 students, parents, teachers, and community members. Testimonies exposed recurring issues of racism, ablism, and insufficient administrative actions, with many participants expressing fear and shedding tears as they recounted their experiences.
By November, the district faced two options: legal action or a settlement. Superintendent Troy Tornow stated, “A lot of what [the Justice Department] did, we were not privy to.” Ultimately, the district opted to settle.
Under the settlement terms, the district committed to a series of reforms to address and prevent harassment:
- Engaging a third-party consultant to support the implementation of the agreement.
- Appointing a district coordinator to manage harassment reports effectively.
- Assigning a Spanish-speaking liaison for Latinx families.
- Establishing an electronic system to track and manage harassment reports.
- Updating policies to ensure timely and effective responses to harassment reports.
- Training staff and students on recognizing and reporting harassment.
- Conducting annual climate assessments through surveys and listening sessions.
Waldref commended the district for its cooperation during the investigation and its commitment to creating a safer educational environment. “This agreement will give the district tools to prevent and address harassment and create a healthier and supportive environment for student learning and development,” she said in a statement.
Superintendent Tornow emphasized the district’s dedication to implementing the agreement. “We appreciate the work of the DOJ team, as well as the openness and honesty of our staff, administrators, students, and families that were interviewed,” he said.
“We will begin working hard to fulfill our obligations in the agreement to improve our systems and responses, so all students feel valued and safe in our schools and community,” Tornow added. Source: Yakima Herald Republic
