District reads statement after jury verdict, outlines findings and limits on comment

The Quillayute Valley School District read a prepared statement to the board summarizing the outcome of a recent federal jury trial involving an employee complaint and provided limited factual context while noting legal constraints on public discussion.

The statement said a jury unanimously found the district did not negligently respond to the employee's complaint and did not retaliate, but that the jury found a coach had created a hostile work environment through private conduct toward the employee. The statement said the employee sought $30 million in damages but the jury awarded $249,760; it also noted the court awarded some attorney fees to the plaintiff and that statutory rules limit how damages and fee-awards should be interpreted. The district emphasized it immediately removed the accused employee from work once the complaint was made and stated it uses outside independent investigators for complaints.

The board's prepared statement noted there is an ongoing personnel matter related to the case that the district cannot discuss publicly and asked the community to respect confidentiality obligations while reiterating a commitment "to ensure that our schools are safe, respectful places for everyone."