king5.com

More than 50 families are stepping forward, taking legal action against a former school for children with special needs that received public funding. Several public school districts in western Washington had contracts to send students to the Northwest School of Innovative Learning, often referred to as NW SOIL. There are now 54 families taking legal action against the now shuttered school, calling for accountability for what they say their kids endured and want systemic change. KING 5 has interviewed five of the families taking legal action for this story, including in July and April. The families allege their children endured abuse, neglect, and long-term emotional and educational harm. The school operated three campuses in Tacoma, Tumwater, and Redmond. “I hope that the people who can’t speak out against this due to trauma get the justice that they deserve and heal from it,” said Shanna Halpin, a former student of the NW SOIL campus in Tacoma. “I would like to change how the system works, if at all possible.”