LETTER: School district lawsuit illustrates danger of seeking personal gain over reconciliation

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, June 20, 2017

It appears the Vashon Island School District is indeed headed to court for a jury trial with island plaintiffs. The accusations, evidence for and against liability for harassment, neglect, malfeasance, dereliction of duty (I’m not sure of the correct legal terms here, but that’s the gist) will be exhaustively aired, in the hope, at long last, of bringing closure to this protracted community nightmare. And while ugly drama will be on full display and further cruelty will be inflicted on all parties, it may also prove redemptive. If there’s a public lesson to be learned about the real damage caused by seeking personal gain over reconciliation, well, I won’t say “it will have been worth it” — but it’s a silver lining. And it may inspire, in people who are hurt and angry, the ability to consider cease fire and resolution over hostility and spite. I won’t pretend to speak for anyone other than myself and everyone I know when I say: school district, the end is in sight — we still got your back.

— Kevin Joyce