Students at Tumwater Middle School protested Friday morning at the start of school against alleged incidents of student-to-student sexual harassment.
As a result, Principal John Neal said the district plans to hire an independent investigator to thoroughly review the allegations.
Neal sent an email to families on Friday morning that said school and district administrators met with student organizers. He said the district has previously investigated and addressed initial concerns about harassment in collaboration with the Tumwater Police Department.
District spokesperson Laurie Wiedenmeyer said some students protesting said the protest was about unwanted touching while passing in the hallways. She said protest signs included statements such as “No means no,” and “Stop rape.”
Neal said the alleged incidents will be investigated as a Title IX complaint by an independent, outside investigator.
“Our priority is to ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students,” he said in the email.
School remained in session on Friday, and counselors and other support staff were made available to students.
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