BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Bellingham Public School board members have voted to cover the legal fees of three administrators accused of not reporting a student’s sexual assaults.
Several parents present at a board meeting on Wednesday, December 14th, called for the administrators to be put on leave.
Despite their efforts, the board unanimously voted to cover any legal fees if misdemeanor charges are formally filed.
Senior Ceres Lehman told KOMO that other outstanding issues within the school are causing a ripple effect.
“I know people who have transferred. I know people who have panic attacks in the halls,” said Lehman. “Because people who have hurt them deeply are allowed to stay and nothing is done about it.”
The charges against assistant principals Jeremy Louzao, Megan Dunham, and Chimere Maude Hackney came after a student reported being sexually assaulted at Squalicum High School.
The three administrators are accused of not properly reporting the assaults to police or child protective services.