Trial Magazine

For several years, the Olympia School District allegedly received numerous warnings that teacher Jonathan Moore was engaging in misconduct and violating boundaries with students. Moore was one of Doe’s sixth-grade teachers and allegedly paid him close attention and communicated with him outside of school hours.

When Doe was approximately 14 years old, Moore, 30, allegedly began sexually abusing him on school grounds. The abuse allegedly escalated and began to occur several times per week on the grounds of the high school where Moore had begun teaching.

Moore allegedly had a years-long pattern of misconduct toward other students. After an investigation, the district terminated Moore, who was later criminally charged.

Doe sued the school district, alleging negligence, gross negligence, outrage, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violation of Washington’s law against discrimination.

The parties settled for $3.2 million.

Citation: Doe v. Olympia Sch. Dist., No. 23-2-03717-34 (Wash. Super. Ct. Thurston Cnty. Aug. 5, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Ian M. Bauer, Darrell L. Cochran, Bridget T. Grot, and Eilidh J. Morrison, all of Tacoma, Wash.