Skykomish School District will remain closed until Monday, March 16, after a staff member was arrested at the K-12 school as part of a sexual assault investigation involving a student, with district leaders launching an independent investigation and pledging new safety measures.
In a media statement dated March 10, the district said it learned of accusations against an employee last Friday, March 6, and apologized “for the lack of information provided to parents as the police activity unfolded at the school.” The district called the allegations “extremely serious and concerning, for our school and for the entire community,” and said it is postponing reopening “to allow students, parents and staff to process the events of the last several days.”
The King County Sheriff’s Office said detectives arrested a male staff member at the school on March 6. The investigation began during the first week of March 2026 and initially focused on a single adult male staff member and one student. On the morning of March 6, detectives with the sheriff’s office Special Assault Unit arrested the staff member at the school, and he was booked into King County Jail for investigation of rape of a child.
Detectives said the case remains open and active, and findings will be presented to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Investigators said they are not aware of any additional victims at this time but are asking anyone with relevant information to come forward. The school district said it will initiate an independent third-party investigation into the events surrounding the allegations.
Officials said the inquiry is intended to assess employee actions, whether policies were followed properly, and how to strengthen protections, and that it will be conducted alongside the ongoing criminal investigation. The district also outlined steps it plans to take when school resumes, including having a King County deputy sheriff on school grounds and surveying the building for physical changes that can improve safety.
Officials added that the district will provide counseling for students and staff and is reviewing policies and protocols so concerns can be reported, including anonymously, and that reports are acted upon. To rebuild trust, the district said school staff will personally reach out to every family in the district “to hear their concerns, share the latest information and to help rebuild trust.” Families who have been affected are asked to direct concerns and communications to the school office at 360-677-2623.
The closure and response reflect the challenges small school districts face when serious allegations emerge, particularly in tight-knit rural communities where a single school serves all grade levels and staff members often have close relationships with families.
