Hawaiʻi to pay $150K in school harassment lawsuit

Katherine Balatico, the principal of Stevenson Middle School in Honolulu, has filed a lawsuit against the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. She claims the department failed to protect her and her family from serious threats she received while on the job. The state is preparing to pay $150,000 to settle the case. Balatico began receiving death threats in May 2020. One post on social media suggested burning down the school and killing her. Soon after, she received an email detailing violent threats against her and her children. Over the next eight months, the threats escalated, prompting her to report the incidents to the police and her supervisors. Despite her reports, Balatico felt that the education department did not take her safety seriously. She also filed a Title IX complaint regarding sexual harassment linked to the threats. When little action was taken, she decided to sue the department in 2022, alleging retaliation for her harassment complaint. As part of the ongoing case, Balatico's attorney criticized the department for not quickly developing a safety plan. Although there was supposed to be private security for her and her children, this security was canceled prematurely. At the same time, the department began investigating her for alleged misconduct, which her attorney claims was untrue and a form of retaliation. Balatico, who is still employed by the DOE but on medical leave due to stress, said she plans to leave the department if the settlement is approved. The potential settlement is one of many claims against state agencies, which could cost taxpayers a total of $6.5 million this year. There have been calls for improved safety protocols at the DOE, but a proposed bill to enhance harassment investigations and safety plans failed to pass this year.