Rotten to the core

Painter adds that while there's no law prohibiting a principal from romantic relationships with teachers under his or her supervision, he considers such behavior to be ill-advised. "In my training [sessions], I say you can do it, but you're stupid if you do, because you're setting yourself up for allegations of impropriety," he says.

While the district insists that it plans to fight this suit to the end, the facts in this case are certainly problematic for the defense. "Failing marriage" or not, Barton's dinner dates took place while the principal was still hitched and his wife was seven months pregnant (they separated shortly after the birth of their son and his wife filed for divorce later that year).

mark kaufman

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And although the district investigation didn't specifically address claims by Withrow (the third defendant in the civil suit) of age discrimination, the investigative file provides two damning statements likely to make their way into court. One teacher participating on an interview team says Barton encouraged them to hire an applicant because she was "cute." (Ironically, that successful applicant was Jennifer Rosenstein.) Another recalls Barton telling her interview team "I like them young and good-looking—hire them." Adds the teacher: "I was embarrassed by this—I know others were too, but nobody said anything and we all wonder why he's still here."

Or, as one teacher asked investigators: "Who do you turn to if your superior is the one causing the problems?"

Not, apparently, the Seattle School District.

jbush@seattleweekly.com