Blaine School District Superintendent Dan Chaplik issued a communitywide statement Sunday addressing media coverage of criminal charges against a high school student accused of sexually assaulting two female classmates.
"The recent media reports of a student being charged with 3rd degree rape and 4th degree assault of two students is very concerning," Chaplik wrote. "We recognize this news may bring distress, uncertainty, and difficult questions."
The statement comes nearly 17 months after two Blaine High School students separately reported being pressured to engage in sexual acts with the same male student. Their families filed federal lawsuits July 31, alleging school officials responded with “deliberate indifference” and a “cavalier” attitude toward their daughters' reports of sexual assault.
The school district investigated the allegations last year, which Chaplik concluded in February with a determination that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the girls' rights had been violated. The allegations made regional headlines during the summer when the families filed the discrimination complaints and again in October, when the Whatcom County Prosecutor's Office filed criminal charges against the boy.
The student faces two counts of third-degree rape and one count of fourth-degree assault. He has pleaded not guilty.
Sydney Bay, an attorney representing the girls, noted the timing of the district's communication.
"After more than 15 months of silence regarding the harm these girls have endured, this is the first statement of its kind," Bay said.
Chaplik said the statement was distributed through ParentSquare, the district's communication platform, to parents, staff, students and other recipients. He shared district data that showed 3,318 people were notified.
The statement was not posted on the district's website. Chaplik said the district plans to make previous communications available online once a new communication hub and website redesign are completed.
Asked whether the statement was the district's first communitywide communication addressing the allegations, Chaplik did not directly answer.
The Northern Light also asked Chaplik to clarify whether his opening statement referred to concern about the criminal allegations themselves or the media coverage of them, and what steps the district was taking to assure students and families that reports of sexual assault would be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed.
"I am not going to comment on any questions or allegations that may be part of the lawsuit or court proceedings," Chaplik responded.
In a subsequent email, Chaplik agreed to comment on the concept of student safety in general, but again declined to address sex crimes on campus. He outlined several measures the district has taken to improve student safety, including additional fencing at Blaine Primary School and restrictions on students accessing their vehicles during lunch at Blaine High School.
He also said the district has installed Ring cameras in the lofts above the high school's shops, although they are not yet set up to enable monitoring. One of the alleged incidents took place in a loft above the welding shop.
Chaplik did not specify when the cameras were installed or whether their installation was related to the alleged assaults.
He also said he has been working for several months to identify an outside organization to help district staff address sexual misconduct.
"I have been working for several months on identifying the right organization to assist with district learning and capacity building around areas of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and policy implementation/training," Chaplik wrote. He did not identify an organization or provide a timeline for the training.
The Northern Light has requested an interview with the members of the Blaine School Board regarding the board's oversight of student safety policies and procedures. President Ryan Swinburnson responded via email, directing questions to Chaplik and declining comment on matters with active litigation.
The federal lawsuits remain pending, as do the criminal charges against the student, who is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
765 H Street
Blaine, Washington 98230
360-332-5881
Fax 360-332-7568
www.blainesd.org
Dear Blaine School District Community,
The recent media reports of a student being charged with 3rd degree rape and 4th degree assault of two students is very concerning. We recognize this news may bring distress, uncertainty, and difficult questions. Students are at the center of our work and every student attending our schools is important and deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard.
To protect student privacy, we cannot discuss individual student circumstances. We ask everyone to respect the privacy and dignity of those involved and avoid speculation while the Blaine School District responds to the allegations.
We would like to emphasize that any and all concerns regarding sexual assault, harassment, or student safety should be reported to the District. Please report any concern about sexual assault, harassment, or student safety to a principal, counselor, trusted school staff member, or the district’s Title IX coordinator (Erin Williams). Anonymous reporting options are available through the District’s tip reporting system, accessible through our Crisis Resources page. Regardless of where you are, if you ever feel like you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Additionally, retaliation is prohibited against any of our students under all circumstances. No one should face threats, intimidation, harassment, or other retaliation for reporting a concern or participating in an investigation. Please report any suspected retaliation immediately through these same channels.
Thank you for helping us care for one another and keep student safety at the center of our work.
Sincerely,
Dan Chaplik, Superintendent
Blaine School District
Each Student, Each Day!
