BELLINGHAM, Wash.- Bellingham School Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker has answered questions about school safety and other issues related to criminal charges brought against three staff members.
In a video link sent to district families, he addressed criminal charges brought against three former vice principals for failing to properly report allegations of sexual assault by a student at Squalicum High School.
Baker says they’ve partnered with DVSAS, Child Protective Services and police to review training procedures and what’s required under the law.
“It’s pretty complex, and you can have different interpretations of what you have to do versus what you should do. And so by meeting with our partners, to try and bring better clarity and consistency to what it all means, because there’s a lot of- it’s not as simple as one might think.”
An investigation found that the three staff members failed to report the allegations to police or protective agencies as state law requires them to do.
Baker says the situation has brought a heightened awareness of those requirements.
“Maybe a positive out of this that’s really brought to light- what the law is, when do you report, and bringing in the different people involved in that to have that conversation.”
All three former vice principals have been reassigned to positions at the district office, and Baker says they’re still employed because they can legally remain on the job and are doing good work.
The complete video, in which he addresses this situation and questions about other issues, can be viewed here.
