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Auburn principal still working after teachers sue for bullying

The women describe regularly "crying and shaking," often "blocked into classrooms and offices."
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AUBURN, Wash. -- Six former Auburn school teachers are shocked that their old boss is still working after they sued him for bullying and sexual discrimination.

"It was a psychological prison," Laurie Sison said.

Sison wanted to be a teacher when she was only six years old, but her position at Olympic Middle School wasn't the dream job she'd hoped for.

"I taught everyday with my heart," she remembered.

Soon after starting, Sison says, the verbal abuse from Principal Jason Hill began, prompting her to take extreme measures to avoid him.

"I went and parked in the back of the building and I hid," she said. "That became my norm."

In a lawsuit Sison filed with five other teachers against Hill, they claim "intimidation, harassment and bullying" based on sexual discrimination.

"I'd get ready for work and I'd start throwing up," Kim Detwiler said. "Five years of hell. It was hell!"

The women describe regularly "crying and shaking," often "blocked into classrooms and offices." One even reports, "I really thought he was going to hit me."

"I hated going to work," Debra Landis said.

The school district settled out of court for $450,000, but according to Superintendent Kip Herren, their insurance paid the money only to avoid even costlier litigation. Herren says both internal and external investigators found no evidence of bullying.

"The district remains committed to a safe and productive work environment for all its employees and takes allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously," Herren said. "We are pleased to move forward, directing our energies and resources for the success of our students."

Herren believes Hill is still qualified to remain the school's principal.

The women say they never witnessed the same treatment of men. They believe Hill targeted his "verbally abusive behavior towards female employees," according to the lawsuit.

So much so, that one of the teachers named in the lawsuit finally said, "I couldn't do it anymore," and after attempting suicide, "I spent four days in the ICU. I went to counseling."

"Crumbling, going into the ground, because he'd be yelling at me and belittling me," said Michele Morris.

All of the women left Olympic Middle School and now have new jobs. Many still have nightmares, including Sison, even though she finally feels safe at work.

"But my life is forever changed," she said.

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