OFFENSES RELATING TO SCHOOL PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL

RCW 28A.635
in effect

RCW 28A.635.010 Abusing or insulting teachers, liability for — Penalty.

Any person who shall insult or abuse a teacher anywhere on the school premises while such teacher is carrying out his or her official duties, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars. Any person who shall insult or abuse a teacher anywhere on the school premises while such teacher is carrying out his or her official duties, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.

RCW 28A.635.020 Willfully disobeying school administrative personnel or refusing to leave public property, violations, when — Penalty.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully disobey the order of the chief administrative officer of a public school district, or of an authorized designee of any such administrator, to leave any motor vehicle, building, grounds or other property which is owned, operated or controlled by the school district if the person so ordered is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or is committing, threatens to imminently commit or incites another to imminently commit any act which would disturb or interfere with or obstruct any lawful task, function, process or procedure of the school district or any lawful task, function, process or procedure of any student, official, employee or invitee of the school district. The order of a school officer or designee acting pursuant to this subsection shall be valid if the officer or designee reasonably believes a person ordered to leave is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is committing acts, or is creating a disturbance as provided in this subsection. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to leave public property immediately adjacent to a building, grounds or property which is owned, operated or controlled by a school district when ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer if such person is engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of causing injury to any person, or substantial harm to property, or such conduct amounts to disorderly conduct under RCW 9A.84.030 . (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or penalize activity consisting of the lawful exercise of freedom of speech, freedom of press and the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances: PROVIDED, That such activity neither does or threatens imminently to materially disturb or interfere with or obstruct any lawful task, function, process or procedure of the school district, or any lawful task, function, process or procedure of any student, official, employee or invitee of the school district: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such activity is not conducted in violation of a prohibition or limitation lawfully imposed by the school district upon entry or use of any motor vehicle, building, grounds or other property which is owned, operated or controlled by the school district. (4) Any person guilty of violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided in chapter 9A.20 RCW. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully disobey the order of the chief administrative officer of a public school district, or of an authorized designee of any such administrator, to leave any motor vehicle, building, grounds or other property which is owned, operated or controlled by the school district if the person so ordered is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or is committing, threatens to imminently commit or incites another to imminently commit any act which would disturb or interfere with or obstruct any lawful task, function, process or procedure of the school district or any lawful task, function, process or procedure of any student, official, employee or invitee of the school district. The order of a school officer or designee acting pursuant to this subsection shall be valid if the officer or designee reasonably believes a person ordered to leave is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is committing acts, or is creating a disturbance as provided in this subsection. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to leave public property immediately adjacent to a building, grounds or property which is owned, operated or controlled by a school district when ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer if such person is engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of causing injury to any person, or substantial harm to property, or such conduct amounts to disorderly conduct under RCW 9A.84.030 . (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or penalize activity consisting of the lawful exercise of freedom of speech, freedom of press and the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances: PROVIDED, That such activity neither does or threatens imminently to materially disturb or interfere with or obstruct any lawful task, function, process or procedure of the school district, or any lawful task, function, process or procedure of any student, official, employee or invitee of the school district: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such activity is not conducted in violation of a prohibition or limitation lawfully imposed by the school district upon entry or use of any motor vehicle, building, grounds or other property which is owned, operated or controlled by the school district. (4) Any person guilty of violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

RCW 28A.635.030 Disturbing school, school activities or meetings — Penalty.

Any person who shall willfully create a disturbance on school premises during school hours or at school activities or school meetings shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine in any sum not more than fifty dollars. Any person who shall willfully create a disturbance on school premises during school hours or at school activities or school meetings shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine in any sum not more than fifty dollars.

RCW 28A.635.040 Examination questions — Disclosing — Penalty.

Any person having access to any question or questions prepared for the examination of teachers or common school pupils, who shall directly or indirectly disclose the same before the time appointed for the use of the questions in the examination of such teachers or pupils, or who shall directly or indirectly assist any person to answer any question submitted, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine in any sum not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars. Any person having access to any question or questions prepared for the examination of teachers or common school pupils, who shall directly or indirectly disclose the same before the time appointed for the use of the questions in the examination of such teachers or pupils, or who shall directly or indirectly assist any person to answer any question submitted, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine in any sum not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars.

RCW 28A.635.050 Certain corrupt practices of school officials — Penalty.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in chapter 42.23 RCW, it shall be unlawful for any member of the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction or any employee of the superintendent's office, any educational service district superintendent, any school district superintendent or principal, or any director of any school district, to request or receive, directly or indirectly, anything of value for or on account of his or her influence with respect to any act or proceeding of the state board of education, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, any office of educational service district superintendent or any school district, or any of these, when such act or proceeding shall inure to the benefit of those offering or giving the thing of value. (2) Any willful violation of this section is a misdemeanor. (1) Except as otherwise provided in chapter 42.23 RCW, it shall be unlawful for any member of the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction or any employee of the superintendent's office, any educational service district superintendent, any school district superintendent or principal, or any director of any school district, to request or receive, directly or indirectly, anything of value for or on account of his or her influence with respect to any act or proceeding of the state board of education, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, any office of educational service district superintendent or any school district, or any of these, when such act or proceeding shall inure to the benefit of those offering or giving the thing of value. (2) Any willful violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

RCW 28A.635.060 Defacing or injuring school property — Liability of pupil, parent, or guardian — Withholding diplomas — Suspension and restitution — Community service program as alternative — Publication of information on withheld diplomas — Student rights protected.

(1)(a) Any pupil who defaces or otherwise injures any school property, or property belonging to a school contractor, employee, or another student, may be subject to suspension and punishment. If any property of the school district, a contractor of the district, an employee, or another student has been lost or willfully cut, defaced, or injured, with the damages exceeding $1,000, the school district may withhold the diploma, but not the grades or transcripts, of the student responsible for the damage or loss for the earlier of either five years from the date of the student's graduation or until the amount owed is less than $1,000. (b) If the student and parent or guardian are unable to pay for the damages, the school district shall provide a program of community service for the student in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Community service completed in accordance with this subsection (1)(b) must be credited at the applicable local or state minimum wage, whichever is greater. Upon the completion of community service that reduces the amount owed to less than $1,000, the diploma of the student must be released. The parent or guardian of the student shall be liable for damages as otherwise provided by law. (2) Before the diploma is withheld under this section, a school district board of directors shall adopt procedures to ensure that students' rights to due process are protected. (3) If the department of social and health services or a child-placing agency licensed by the department has been granted custody of a child, that child's records, if requested by the department or agency, may not be withheld for nonpayment of school fees or any other reason. (4) Each school district that withholds a diploma under this section shall publish and maintain the following information on its website, either with information published under RCW 28A.325.050 or in a different location on its website that facilitates easy access to the information: (a) The number of diplomas withheld under this section, by graduating class, during the preceding five school years, with data from the prior reporting year updated annually to reflect the release of diplomas in accordance with this section; and (b) The number of students with withheld diplomas who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals during their last two years of enrollment in the school district. (1)(a) Any pupil who defaces or otherwise injures any school property, or property belonging to a school contractor, employee, or another student, may be subject to suspension and punishment. If any property of the school district, a contractor of the district, an employee, or another student has been lost or willfully cut, defaced, or injured, with the damages exceeding $1,000, the school district may withhold the diploma, but not the grades or transcripts, of the student responsible for the damage or loss for the earlier of either five years from the date of the student's graduation or until the amount owed is less than $1,000. (b) If the student and parent or guardian are unable to pay for the damages, the school district shall provide a program of community service for the student in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Community service completed in accordance with this subsection (1)(b) must be credited at the applicable local or state minimum wage, whichever is greater. Upon the completion of community service that reduces the amount owed to less than $1,000, the diploma of the student must be released. The parent or guardian of the student shall be liable for damages as otherwise provided by law. (2) Before the diploma is withheld under this section, a school district board of directors shall adopt procedures to ensure that students' rights to due process are protected. (3) If the department of social and health services or a child-placing agency licensed by the department has been granted custody of a child, that child's records, if requested by the department or agency, may not be withheld for nonpayment of school fees or any other reason. (4) Each school district that withholds a diploma under this section shall publish and maintain the following information on its website, either with information published under RCW 28A.325.050 or in a different location on its website that facilitates easy access to the information: (a) The number of diplomas withheld under this section, by graduating class, during the preceding five school years, with data from the prior reporting year updated annually to reflect the release of diplomas in accordance with this section; and (b) The number of students with withheld diplomas who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals during their last two years of enrollment in the school district.

RCW 28A.635.070 Property, failure of officials or employees to account for — Mutilation by — Penalties.

Any school district official or employee who shall refuse or fail to deliver to his or her qualified successor all books, papers, and records pertaining to his or her position, or who shall willfully mutilate or destroy any such property, or any part thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars: PROVIDED, That for each day there is a refusal or failure to deliver to a successor books, papers and records, a separate offense shall be deemed to have occurred. Any school district official or employee who shall refuse or fail to deliver to his or her qualified successor all books, papers, and records pertaining to his or her position, or who shall willfully mutilate or destroy any such property, or any part thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty for which shall be a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars: PROVIDED, That for each day there is a refusal or failure to deliver to a successor books, papers and records, a separate offense shall be deemed to have occurred.

RCW 28A.635.080 Director's connivance to employ uncertified teachers — Liability.

Any school district director who shall aid in or give his or her consent to the employment of a teacher who is not the holder of a valid teacher's certificate issued under authority of chapter 28A.410 RCW authorizing him or her to teach in the school district by which employed shall be personally liable to his or her district for any loss which it may sustain by reason of the employment of such person. Any school district director who shall aid in or give his or her consent to the employment of a teacher who is not the holder of a valid teacher's certificate issued under authority of chapter 28A.410 RCW authorizing him or her to teach in the school district by which employed shall be personally liable to his or her district for any loss which it may sustain by reason of the employment of such person.

RCW 28A.635.090 Interference by force or violence — Penalty.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5272.SL ) *** (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, singly or in concert with others, to interfere by force or violence with any administrator, teacher, classified employee, person under contract with the school or school district, or student of any common school who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies. Any such interference by force or violence committed by a student shall be grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion of the student. (2) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in jail not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, singly or in concert with others, to interfere by force or violence with any administrator, teacher, classified employee, person under contract with the school or school district, or student of any common school who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies. Any such interference by force or violence committed by a student shall be grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion of the student. (2) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in jail not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.

RCW 28A.635.100 Intimidating any administrator, teacher, classified employee, or student by threat of force or violence unlawful — Penalty.

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5272.SL ) *** (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, singly or in concert with others, to intimidate by threat of force or violence any administrator, teacher, classified employee, or student of any common school who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies. (2) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in jail not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, singly or in concert with others, to intimidate by threat of force or violence any administrator, teacher, classified employee, or student of any common school who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies. (2) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in jail not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.

RCW 28A.635.110 Violations under RCW 28A.635.090 and 28A.635.100 — Disciplinary authority exception.

The crimes defined in RCW 28A.635.090 and 28A.635.100 shall not apply to school administrators, teachers, or classified employees who are engaged in the reasonable exercise of their disciplinary authority. The crimes defined in RCW 28A.635.090 and 28A.635.100 shall not apply to school administrators, teachers, or classified employees who are engaged in the reasonable exercise of their disciplinary authority.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.635&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026