Lake Stevens School District Pays Millions to Settle Sexual Grooming Lawsuit

District also agrees to increase training on sexual grooming and mandatory reporting

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a school ID badge or other school-related object, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty investigation into a school district's handling of sexual misconduct allegations.A school district's failure to protect students from a predatory teacher has led to a costly lawsuit and calls for policy changes.Lake Stevens Today

The Lake Stevens School District has agreed to pay millions to a former student, Kalynn Taber, to resolve a lawsuit alleging that a math teacher, Mark Hein, engaged in a pattern of sexual grooming behavior towards students, including Kalynn. The district also agreed to increase training for both school staff and district-level administrators on topics like sexual grooming and mandatory reporting.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of school districts taking immediate action when allegations of sexual misconduct are reported, in order to protect students and uphold their duty of care. The lawsuit exposed failures by the Lake Stevens School District to properly investigate, report, and address the teacher's behavior, leading to years of trauma for the student involved.

The details

Kalynn Taber, now 19, reported the teacher's behavior to the school principal and associate principal in January 2022, but the district did not notify law enforcement or place the teacher on leave until August 2022, after an outside counselor advised law enforcement. Though the teacher was arrested, the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office declined to pursue charges. The lawsuit alleged the district repeatedly failed to protect students by ignoring mandatory reporting laws and the district's own policies.

  • Kalynn Taber reported the teacher's behavior to the school in January 2022.
  • The teacher was not placed on leave until August 2022.
  • The teacher resigned in 2025 after more than two years of paid leave.
  • The lawsuit was resolved in 2026, nearly 5 years after the initial report.

The players

Kalynn Taber

A former student at Lake Stevens High School who was the victim of sexual grooming by a teacher.

Mark Hein

A math teacher at Lake Stevens High School who engaged in a pattern of sexual grooming behavior towards students, including Kalynn Taber.

Leslie Ivelia

The principal at Lake Stevens High School who was notified of the teacher's behavior in January 2022.

Tonya Grinde

The associate principal at Lake Stevens High School who was notified of the teacher's behavior in January 2022.

Maridith Ramsey

The attorney representing Kalynn Taber and her family in the lawsuit against the Lake Stevens School District.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Forcing a 15 year-old to participate in years' long litigation to ensure that school professionals protect kids is a betrayal to every child in the Lake Stevens School District. Kalynn Taber and her family have repeatedly proven themselves much braver than the adults charged with keeping her safe.”

— Maridith Ramsey, Attorney

“Our family has been fighting for nearly 5 years to affect change and ensure all LSSD students are safe and predators are reported immediately. If the idea is see something say something, then the district needs to believe the students and take action. My daughter suffered more than any child should, but her strength removed a predator from LSHS, and exposed a serious need for policy change and accountability.”

— Chari, Kalynn Taber's mother

What’s next

An OSPI investigation into the teacher's teaching certificate is now pending as a result of the lawsuit.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for school districts to have robust policies and procedures in place to promptly investigate and address allegations of sexual misconduct, in order to protect students and uphold their duty of care. The failures of the Lake Stevens School District in this case led to years of trauma for the student involved.