A lawsuit has been filed against Seattle Public Schools and Dr. William Jackson, alleging antisemitic harassment against a student at Nathan Hale High School.
The complaint, filed by J.K., R.L., and their 16-year-old daughter M.K.L., details a series of antisemitic incidents throughout the 2023-2024 school year, culminating in a hate crime on May 22, 2024.
The family claims that the school administration failed to address the hostile environment, leading to significant emotional distress and educational disruption for M.K.L.
KIRO 7 spoke to J.K., M.K.L.’s mother, who said, “She was hearing things like, Hitler’s plan should have worked, and I hate the Jews, you should kill yourself.”
The lawsuit states that M.K.L. endured antisemitic slurs and threats, which were reported to Principal Dr. William Jackson and Vice Principal Makela Steward-Monroe, but no meaningful intervention was made.
According to the complaint, the harassment began following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas.
M.K.L., a Jewish student, faced verbal abuse and threats from classmates, including being told to “kill herself” due to her Jewish identity.
The situation escalated with a planned walkout in support of Palestine, where M.K.L. was surrounded and spat on by other students.
“A student threatened to jump her if she wore Hanukkah pajamas to school one day... There was a group of students surrounding her and ganging up on her, and while they were talking to her, spit in her face,” her mother said.
Despite repeated reports to the administration, the family alleges that no action was taken to protect her.
The complaint describes a pervasive culture of antisemitism at Nathan Hale High School, with students drawing swastikas and making derogatory comments during Holocaust studies.
According to the lawsuit, the administration’s inaction allegedly emboldened students to continue their behavior.
Her mother added, “He [the school’s principal] didn’t do anything to make it different despite how many times my daughter was in there crying about the numerous times that she was being harassed, told to shut up, called names.”
On May 22, 2024, a group of approximately twenty students threatened to physically assault M.K.L., forcing her to hide in a classroom for safety.
The family claims this incident was the culmination of a year’s worth of unchecked harassment.
The lawsuit accuses Seattle Public Schools and Dr. Jackson of discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence in care, and negligent supervision and training.
The family seeks damages for the emotional and educational harm suffered by M.K.L.
Seattle Public Schools responded to the lawsuit, saying, “SPS will review and address these allegations. The district remains dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all students, and does not tolerate racism, discrimination, or violence in any form.”
M.K.L. transferred to another school last year, with her mother adding, “It’s a totally different culture. There truly isn’t bigotry and hate that’s accepted at the school. It’s just not part of the culture. So very clearly, it can be done.”
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