Ex-principal in Highline files claim over demotion

A Highline School District staffer filed a claim against the district Tuesday, arguing he was unfairly demoted for the alleged misconduct of another employee.

Jackie Lewis claims the district demoted him from assistant principal to teacher, cutting his salary by about $35,000 a year, on grounds that he failed to properly supervise former employee Jayson Boehm, who is accused of sexual misconduct.

Lewis claims he was made a scapegoat while the primary staff responsible for overseeing Boehm received no significant discipline. Lewis says those staff members are Daylene Boehm, the Evergreen High School athletic director and sister of Jayson, and Evergreen Principal Paula Montgomery.

Lewis, 60, who is African American, is seeking $500,000 plus legal costs from the district.

Lewis says he's been the victim of race, sex and age discrimination — based on the fact that Daylene Boehm and Montgomery are both younger, female and white. His reputation has also suffered, he claims.

Catherine Carbone Rogers, a spokeswoman for the school district, declined to comment Tuesday, saying the district hadn't yet had time to review the claim or discuss it with an attorney.

Jayson Boehm, who was contracted to provide aid at athletic events and who also did volunteer work with Evergreen High sports teams, was fired in April.

According to state Department of Health charges, Boehm conducted inappropriate physical exams of 26 male adolescent students, asking them to strip and touching their testicles.

Lewis, who also was interim athletic director, says Boehm was hired long before him and that the alleged misconduct took place outside his jurisdiction.

Cliff Freed, an attorney representing Lewis, added that his client had no knowledge of Boehm's alleged misconduct.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com