Former student files $13.4 million claim against Mercer Island School District over alleged teacher sexual abuse

School leaders received numerous reports that former high school English teacher Curtis Johnston was “dating” a student but failed to intervene, complaint says

By: Moe K. Clark

Outlets: InvestigateWest

Published: March 5, 2026

Words: 640

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

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A former student has filed a tort claim against the Mercer Island School District, alleging administrators failed to intervene and protect her from being targeted, groomed and sexually abused by Curtis Johnston, a longtime English teacher at the school.

The former student, who wished to remain anonymous, told InvestigateWest in October that Johnston began grooming her for a sexual relationship her senior year of high school in 2012 — when Johnston was 44, and she …

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