Thank you to Herald writer Diana Hefley for bringing us the article: “Judge: Girl can’t be blamed for her assault”: Kudos to Superior Court Judge David Kurtz for rejecting an argument by the lawyer for Highland Christian Schools (in Arlington) that a 14-year-old student (and her parents) should bear any responsibility for an inappropriate relationship between the girl and the school’s former principal. Shame on them!

I would suggest that Highland Christian Schools fire their legal team and take a serious look at themselves for even allowing such an assertion to be made. Further yet, if, after taking a good look at this, Highland Christian Schools truly believes this was an appropriate tact to take, rather than rethinking their policies on better background checks for prospective staff, (new HR department? New school board?), then I would advise parents to grab their children and get out of there, fast!

This type of thinking is truly dysfunctional and not the type of educational system that you want your children to be a part of! Highland Christian Schools needs to take a good hard look at themselves and their policies. At all costs, children need to be, and to feel safe in school before they can even begin to learn.

Kathy Peterson

Mountlake Terrace