House votes unanimously for Darneille bill to protect students

Tacoma case helps to inspire legislation for safer schools

March 10, 2009

OLYMPIA- The House voted unanimously Monday evening to greatly expand the number of crimes that must result in automatic dismissals from Washington schools and permanent revocation of teaching certificates.

The legislation sponsored by state Rep. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, closes a loophole that has prevented automatic dismissals of persons convicted of serious felonies-even violent crimes and rape-unless their victims were children.

"This bill is about making our schools safer," said Darneille. "We've heard a steady drumbeat of news about sexual misconduct and crimes occurring in schools across the nation, yet our absurdly narrow state laws on mandatory dismissal have allowed people convicted of heinous crimes to continue working in our classrooms, cafeterias and school buses. This must stop and will stop if we pass this bill."

Darneille's proposal was originally prompted by the case of Harold Wright Jr., a Tacoma public school principal who collected thousands of dollars in salary while on leave after being convicted of raping a 19-year-old. According to Tacoma Public Schools, Wright could not be summarily fired, because his victim was not a child.

In addition to greatly expanding the list of crimes that require dismissal and revocation of certificates, Darneille's bill:

• Requires mandatory revocation of teaching certificates that are fraudulently obtained.
• Enables school districts to recover money paid to employees who were placed on administrative leave due to felony charges, if the employee is ultimately convicted and terminated.
• Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to conduct a quarterly review of information from the Washington State Patrol of convictions and guilty pleas.
• Allows superintendents and administrators to file complaints about school employees even if they work in another district.

The bill sailed through committees and the House with unanimous support by lawmakers and witnesses, including the Washington Education Association (WEA), the state's largest teachers' union.

"WEA fully supports House Bill 1741," said association lobbyist Lucinda Young. If a person is convicted of a serious crime "we along with society do not want them in our public school system."

Darneille's bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.