Shinaberger ex rel. Campbell v. LaPine

— In this case we are called upon to decide whether employees of public schools are exempt from Washington’s civil antiharassment statute. We hold that they are not.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Because this case raises primarily an issue of statutory interpretation, we state only a cursory summary of the facts.

Brandy Campbell was a sixth grade special education student at Showalter Middle School. The Tukwila School District employs Dianne LaPine at Showalter as a para-educator to care for children, like Brandy, who need extra help at school.

LaPine was assigned as Brandy’s assistant. Brandy’s mother,…