Parents are suing Monroe School District over racism and bullying allegations

MONROE, Wash. – Frustrated parents have filed a lawsuit against the Monroe School District, accusing it of ignoring racial discrimination and harassment involving their children for years.

The lawsuit was officially filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, following claims that the county was slow to respond to repeated complaints from families. Attorney James Bible, who represents the families, announced the lawsuit during a news conference Friday afternoon.

“As time goes by, more and more students are coming forward,” Bible said.

Surrounded by parents and their children, Bible explained that the district’s perceived inaction has led to more students coming forward with stories of racist comments, physical violence and threats. The allegations include incidents at all school levels, from elementary school to high school.

“Adult parents come to campus to threaten young black children,” the Bible said.

In 2022, families raised concerns with FOX 13 Seattle about incidents of racial harassment. At a school board meeting that year, African-American students reported being called racist comments, including being called “monkeys,” and encountering references to the Ku Klux Klan. In response to these ongoing problems, more than a hundred students organized a walkout to protest the district’s handling of the situation. However, two years later, families claim the problem is still unresolved.

Some families have since left the district because of these experiences, but they say they are not backing down in the fight for justice.

“They don’t want another group of children to experience the same kind of harm,” Bible said.

In response to the allegations, Monroe School District acknowledged the lawsuit. In a statement, they told FOX 13 Seattle:

“The district investigated the allegations when these families filed the claims. Due to legal requirements for student confidentiality, we cannot release specific information about these claims and related investigations. In addition, the district is now the subject of a lawsuit against the District for money, we have been advised by our legal counsel not to comment further.”

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