A kindergarten teacher at Elk Ridge Elementary in Buckley has been pulled from the classroom and placed on administrative leave while the White River School District investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a six-year-old student. District officials say they are treating the situation as an active personnel matter, which limits what they can share publicly while the review plays out. Buckley police, for their part, say the information they reviewed did not meet the threshold for criminal charges.
According to a police report obtained by The News Tribune, a mother reported on April 22 that the teacher kissed her six-year-old daughter during class. The report says the mother later told police her child recounted that the teacher asked for permission before the kiss, then told her not to tell anyone because they could both get in trouble and he could lose his job.
The White River School District confirmed the educator has been placed on administrative leave, describing the move as "consistent with district practice and established personnel procedures," Assistant Superintendent Heather McMullen told the Courier‑Herald. McMullen said the district is cooperating with the appropriate processes and cannot comment on specific personnel details while the investigation is active.
Buckley Police Chief Kurt Alfano said the department reviewed the April report and concluded the matter "did not constitute a crime," and that the case was closed pending any additional information, according to coverage by The Center Square. The police file also noted third‑party claims that the teacher had hugged or kissed other female students on the cheek, but investigators said that information was not independently verified.
How state review works
The Office of Professional Practices within the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction generally opens investigations only after a formal complaint from a superintendent or when an educator has been arrested, charged or had a certification action, according to OSPI guidance on filing complaints. OSPI told The News Tribune it is aware of the local allegations but has not received a formal complaint about the educator.
Allegations from last fall
The child’s mother also told police she had raised concerns last November about the teacher braiding her daughter’s hair and that the child said the teacher had hung her upside down and tickled her bare stomach and upper legs, according to a police report reviewed by the Courier‑Herald. The report says a classroom volunteer told the mother the teacher appeared to show favoritism, and that the officer did not interview the child, the teacher or district staff before closing the case pending any new leads.
District officials reiterated that student safety is their highest priority and said they will share additional information "following the conclusion of the investigation." Buckley police have said they would reopen the case if new information emerges, and school leaders urged anyone with concerns to contact the district or law enforcement so the matter can be reviewed, according to reporting by The Center Square.
