Three teachers file suit against principal

"To some, Dan Barton is an innovative principal who improved Gatewood Elementary's achievement-test scores. To others, he's the boss from hell. Last month, three women in the latter category filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court alleging that the 45-year-old principal had sexually harassed them, created a hostile work environment and had discriminated against one of them because of her age."

On May 19, 1995, a Seattle District Court judge granted teacher Nancy Dobrin a temporary anti-harassment order against Barton after he repeatedly sat in her classroom, observing her teaching and taking notes in what she believed was an effort to fire her. School officials became involved and a permanent order was never granted. Dobrin was transferred to another school. Note that Superintendent Sloan ordered monitoring of Karen Horwitz - read Teacher Cleansing in America for the gory details. Doesn't it appear that there is a BIBLE of abuse methods distributed undercover all over the US? What else could explain how these administrators utilize similar tactics from sea to shining sea?

The Full story:

[Original article available from LINKS]

Local News: Thursday, February 15, 2001
Three teachers file suit against principal
By Nancy Bartley, Seattle Times, staff reporter

To some, Dan Barton is an innovative principal who improved Gatewood Elementary's achievement-test scores. To others, he's the boss from hell.

Last month, three women in the latter category filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court alleging that the 45-year-old principal had sexually harassed them, created a hostile work environment and had discriminated against one of them because of her age.

Seattle schools spokeswoman Lynn Steinberg said the district "will vigorously defend" itself against the lawsuit. Hey, why not? Taxpayers will vigorously pay for it.

"The district has clear policies to prevent discrimination and harassment," she said. "We feel we've acted appropriately."

Barton didn't return phone calls for comment.

In court documents filed Jan. 24, teachers Victoria Withrow [AS#1 (Alternative School; Pinehurst)], Laurie Decker and Jennifer Rosenstein [John Rogers Elementary] said they took their complaints to the school district but nothing was resolved. They also claimed Barton retaliated against them. According to Judith Lonnquist, the attorney representing the teachers, from 1997 to 1999 Barton repeatedly asked Decker, 24, and Rosenstein, 25, for dinner dates, discussed his marriage with them, made inappropriate inquiries into their personal lives and, on one occasion, made a lewd comment to Decker. When they rebuffed his advances, he retaliated against them, giving them no option but to resign, court documents say.

Withrow, 49, a longtime substitute teacher at Gatewood, alleges Barton passed her over for a permanent teaching job and hired a younger, less qualified teacher for the opening. Lonnquist said Barton allegedly told others that he wanted to hire a "younger, better-looking" teacher.

Decker, Rosenstein and Withrow are seeking damages for financial loss, emotional distress and attorney fees.All three teachers are now teaching at other schools in the district. Barton remains principal at Gatewood, where he has received rave reviews from some teachers and parents and harsh criticism from others. The Jekyll and Hyde syndrome can be seen all over our nation; these people know how to behave when necessary. But it isn't necessary when you are ONLY dealing with TEACHERS!!!!

Once lagging test scores have risen since he came to the school. But his management style has also resulted in clashes.

On May 19, 1995, a Seattle District Court judge granted teacher Nancy Dobrin a temporary anti-harassment order against Barton after he repeatedly sat in her classroom, observing her teaching and taking notes in what she believed was an effort to fire her.

School officials became involved and a permanent order was never granted. Dobrin was transferred to another school.

Rob Shepherd, a parent of a former Gatewood student, had an angry confrontation with Barton which ended in the district requiring Shepherd to get permission before coming onto the school grounds. On Feb. 1, 1999, long after his child had left the school, Shepherd sued Barton and the district in King County Superior Court. The case was later dismissed. Parents listen up.Restraining orders against UNDESIRABLE parents are the latest fashion. With teacher abuse successfully in place, administrators can now increase their target range.

Editorial: Teachers' settlement a win for both sides

Seattle Times, June 1, 2002

A $90,000 settlement reached by three Seattle Public School teachers who had accused their principal of sexual harassment and age discrimination offers more than money to both sides. It offers the three women the ability to continue teaching in the district they love. And systemic changes agreed upon by both sides will help ensure this doesn't happen again.

The teachers had accused Gatewood Elementary School principal Dan Barton of sexual harassment and age discrimination. The principal's thick personnel folder backed up many of their claims. Even School Superintendent Joseph Olchefske described Barton as a good principal but one who had made mistakes and been punished for them.

With the evidence on their side, it would have been simple for the teachers to demand a check and call it a day. But the three wanted more. They hammered out an agreement with the district that in the end will bolster the school system's zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination.

Teachers are constantly accused of suing for money when consistently their number one priority is exposure and change. However, propaganda accusing teachers of being litigious is effective in turning parents against them. Hopefully NAPTA can help parents develop an ear for propaganda that is more prevalent in our education system than in Russia these days! They were forced to clean up their act; administrators have a free reign of terror if they so choose.

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