Student sues Everett schools over his on-campus proselytizing

EVERETT — A student at Cascade High School is suing the Everett School District in federal court for violating his constitutional free-speech rights.

The student, identified in the lawsuit as Michael Leal, has handed out religious pamphlets and preached on school grounds at various times since September. He has been warned and suspended at least twice.

Leal’s activities are protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution, the suit says, and he is seeking restraining orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions against the school district barring it from enforcing policies used to discipline him.

Leal is also seeking to have the suspensions removed from his record and compensation for attorney fees and unspecified damages.

The suit also names as defendants Superintendent Gary Cohn, Cascade High School principal Cathy Woods and Cascade assistant principals Robert Aguilar and Laura Phillips.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, does not state if he has further disciplined.

Everett Public Schools spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said she could not comment on Leal’s identity, his actions in school or the school’s discipline, citing student privacy laws. She could confirm that Leal is still enrolled at Cascade High.

A call to Leal’s attorney was not immediately returned Friday.

According to the suit, Leal was suspended for violating district policies 3222 and 3222P, which state that students who distribute materials they write or produce themselves should not disrupt school activities or interfere with operations.

Students who violate those policies will be disciplined, including with suspension or expulsion.

The policy also states that students may distribute material before or after school at the entrances of school buildings and that they may ask permission from school administrators to distribute material at other times.

The policy does not mention preaching or other religious expression, and it doesn’t address material written or produced by outside groups. The suit doesn’t specify who made the pamphlet Leal was distributing, which is titled, “How to Know God.”

“Our policies are neutral on the topic of a student discourse,” Waggoner said. “They do detail when student discourse or actions are not allowed,” but they do not address the specific content of student speech.

The suit states that Leal either handed out pamphlets or preached openly several times starting Sept. 3. On most occasions, he did so during lunch near the cafeteria but also at an after-school volleyball game and at the annual “Car Bash” fundraiser for the school’s Associated Student Body.

At the Car Bash, a school-sponsored event on school property and attended by faculty and administrators, Leal used a bullhorn while he was preaching, then ran from administrators when they approached him, one witness said. He continued to preach.

“The staff was trying to talk to him, and he was running away and taunting them,” said Gretchen Weiss-Elliot, who was at the event with her two children and a Moroccan exchange student, who is Muslim.

“He had a bullhorn and was yelling, ‘Praise the Lord!’ and ‘You’re going to go to hell!’ Nobody could not hear what he was saying,” Weiss-Elliot said.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.