Mercer Island School District Faces New Investigation into Former English Teacher Following InvestigateWest Report

Strategic Insights -

The Mercer Island School District is facing a new investigation into former English teacher Curtis Johnston after InvestigateWest reported allegations that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a student in 2011. Superintendent Fred Rundle announced that he personally filed a police report and a Child Protective Services report to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families. The district is also investigating social studies teacher David Willecke on suspicion of failing to report the inappropriate relationship. A longtime educator, Willecke has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation. The district's handling of previous allegations against Johnston and another teacher, Gary "Chris" Twombley, has raised concerns about transparency and accountability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Mercer Island School District is investigating former English teacher Curtis Johnston on allegations that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a student in 2011.
  • Superintendent Fred Rundle personally filed a police report and a Child Protective Services report to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families following the InvestigateWest report.
  • Social studies teacher David Willecke has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into whether he had knowledge of the inappropriate relationship and failed to report it.
  • The district previously dismissed allegations against Johnston in 2011, classifying them as a "rumor" despite speaking only to Johnston and the student's mom.
  • Johnston went on to teach for another 14 years after the initial investigation.
  • A photo of Johnston and the former student, who wishes to remain anonymous, was taken during a school trip to Southeast Asia.
  • The district has come under fire for its handling of previous allegations against teachers, including Gary "Chris" Twombley, who engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an underage student in 2015.
  • The school board is convening a new committee to conduct a broad review of policies and training, including how to better educate kids on boundary crossing and how to report teacher misconduct.
  • The committee will also look at how teacher misconduct is investigated once it's reported to the school.
  • Dan Glowitz, a school board member, has expressed concerns that the district administration allowed a discriminatory and predatory culture in the English department to persist for years.

Statistics:

  • 2011: The school district dismissed allegations against Curtis Johnston, classifying them as a "rumor".
  • 2015: Teacher Gary "Chris" Twombley engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an underage student.
  • 2016: An anonymous caller reported that Twombley was sending inappropriate texts to a sophomore student.
  • 2020: InvestigateWest reported allegations that Curtis Johnston engaged in a sexual relationship with a student in 2011.
  • 2020: Superintendent Fred Rundle personally filed a police report and a Child Protective Services report to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families.
  • 14 years: The amount of time Curtis Johnston continued to teach after the initial investigation.

Sources:

  • "I Want People to Know He's Done This: Student Alleges Sexual Misconduct by Another Mercer Island Teacher" by InvestigateWest (https://www.investigatewest.org/i-want-people-to-know-hes-done-this-student-alleges-sexual-misconduct-by-another-mercer-island-teacher/)
  • "Mercer Island Schools assessing sexual abuse protocols after outcry" by InvestigateWest (https://www.investigatewest.org/mercer-island-schools-assessing-sexual-abuse-protocols-after-outcry/)
  • "Superintendent Rundle's Message on Allegation of Sexual Misconduct by Former MIHS Teacher Curtis Johnston" by Mercer Island School District (https://www.mercerislandschools.org/news/~board/misd-news/post/superintendent-rundle-message-on-allegation-of-sexual-misconduct-by-former-mihs-teacher-curtis-johnston)
  • MIHS Islander (https://mihsislander.org/flipbook/back-to-school-issue/#1)