Student who received 'F' for allegedly cheating on test sues school district

RENTON -- Parents of a high school student have sued the Renton School District after the district refused to overturn a "F" grade the girl received on a chemistry test after she was allegedly caught cheating.

According to documents filed in King County Superior Court, the Lindbergh High School student sued the district after a disciplinary committee decided not to retract the failing grade. However, they did overturn the girl's one day detention sentence.

The student is not seeking any damages, but simply asks the school overturn the "F"  test grade she received in June.

Parents of the unnamed student allege the girl was never caught cheating, but simply found with study materials in her purse.

According to the Seattle P.I., the girl was given a  failing grade after the teacher assumed she was using a crib sheet when she was found carrying notes and a pencil pouch in her purse that was easily accessible during the test.

Rather than accept the punishment, the girl appealed to the Lindbergh principal, and later to the school board. At a Sept. 11 meeting between all parties, the school board decided to uphold the failing grade rather than remove it from the student's record.

"After careful review, the Council finds that the final grade submitted by the teacher, with the reduction for the academic infraction, is upheld by a preponderance of the evidence submitted by the teacher and the Lindbergh High School administration," the school board wrote on Sept. 23. "The Council, however, invalidates the one day detention for discipline and directs that the detention be removed from the discipline record."

State law allows parents or students to ask the superior court to review disciplinary actions, the P.I. reports. Grades are not typically subject to appeal.

A preliminary hearing date for the suit has not been set.