Shelton's Chapter Six: Earthquakes

Chapter Six: Earthquakes

6.0 EARTHQUAKES:  

6.1 Introduction

Every location in Washington State has some level of earthquake hazard, but the level of earthquake hazard varies widely by location within the state. Historically, awareness of seismic risk in Washington has generally been high, among both the public and public officials. This awareness in based to a great extent on the significant earthquakes that occurred within the Puget Sound area in 1949 (Olympia earthquake), 1965 (Tacoma earthquake), and 2001 (Nisqually earthquake), as well as other smaller earthquakes in many locations throughout the state.

The awareness of seismic risk in Washington has also increased in recent years due to the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesia in 2004 and Japan in 2011. The geologic settings for the Indonesia and Japan earthquakes are very similar to the Cascadia Subduction Zone along the Washington coast.

The technical information in the following sections provides a basic understanding of earthquake hazards, which is an essential foundation for making well-informed decisions about earthquake risks and mitigation Action Items for K–12 facilities.


6.2 Washington Earthquakes

Earthquakes are described by their magnitude (M), which is a measure of the total energy released by an earthquake. The most common magnitude is called the “moment magnitude,” which is calculated by seismologists from two factors – 1) the amount of slip (movement) on the fault causing the earthquake and 2) the area of the fault surface that ruptures during the earthquake. Moment magnitudes are similar to the Richter magnitude, which was used for many decades but has now been replaced.

The moment magnitudes for the largest earthquakes recorded worldwide and in Washington are shown below.  

Table 6.1
Largest Recorded Earthquakes1,2

Table 6.1


Figure 6.1
Epicenters of Historic Earthquakes in Washington with Magnitudes of 3.0 or Higher3
Figure 6.1

Table 6.1 and Figure 6.1 do not include the January 26, 1700 earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone which has been identified by tsunami records in Japan and paleoseismic investigations along the Washington coast. The estimated magnitude of the 1700 earthquake is approximately 9.0. This earthquake is not shown in Table 6.1 because it predates modern seismological records. However, this earthquake is among the largest known earthquakes worldwide and the largest earthquake affecting Washington over the past several hundred years. The closest analogy to this earthquake and its effects, including tsunamis, is the 2011 Japan earthquake.

Earthquakes in Washington, and throughout the world, occur predominantly because of plate tectonics – the relative movement of plates of oceanic and continental rocks that make up the rocky surface of the earth. Earthquakes can also occur because of volcanic activity and other geological processes.

The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a geologically complex area off the Pacific Northwest coast that ranges from Northern California to British Columbia. In simple terms, several pieces of oceanic crust (the Juan de Fuca Plate and other smaller pieces) are being subducted (pushed under) the crust of the North American Plate.  This subduction process is responsible for most of the earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest and for creating the chain of volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains.

Figure 6.2 on the following page shows the geologic (plate-tectonic) setting of the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

There are three main types of earthquakes that affect Washington State:

  1. Interface earthquakes on the boundary between the subducting Juan de Fuca Plate and the North American Plate,
  2. Intraplate earthquakes within the subducting oceanic plates, and
  3. Crustal earthquakes within the North American Plate.

“Interface earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone occur on the boundary between the subducting Juan de Fuca plate and the North American Plate. These earthquakes may have magnitudes up to 9.0 or perhaps 9.2, with average return periods (the time period between earthquakes) of about 250 to 500 years. These are the great Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake events that have received attention in the popular press. The last major interface earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone occurred on January 26, 1700. These earthquakes occur about 40 miles offshore from the Pacific Ocean coastline. Ground shaking from such earthquakes would be the strongest near the coast and strong ground shaking would be felt throughout much of western Washington, with the level of shaking decreasing further inland from the coast.

Figure 6.2
Cascadia Subduction Zone4



Paleoseismic investigations, which look at geologic sediments and rocks, for signs of ancient earthquakes, have identified 41 Cascadia Subduction Zone interface earthquakes over the past 10,000 years, which corresponds to one earthquake about every 250 years. Of these 41 earthquakes, about half are M9.0 or greater earthquakes that represent a full rupture of the fault zone from Northern California to British Columbia. The other half of the interface earthquakes represents M8+ earthquakes that rupture only the southern portion of the subduction zone. 

The 300+ years since the last major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake is longer than the average timeframe of about 250 years for M8 or greater and is shorter than some of the intervals between M9.0 earthquakes. The time history of these major interface earthquakes is shown in Figure 6.3 on the following page.

Figure 6.3
Time History of Cascadia Subduction Zone Interface Earthquakes5

 

“Intraplate earthquakes occur within the subducting Juan de Fuca Plate. These earthquakes may have magnitudes up to about 6.5, with probable return periods of about 500 to 1000 years at any given location. These earthquakes can occur anywhere along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The 1949, 1965, and 2001 earthquakes listed in Table 1 are examples of intraplate earthquakes. These earthquakes occur deep in the earth’s crust, about 20 to 30 miles below the surface.  They generate strong ground motions near the epicenter, but have damaging effects over significantly smaller areas than the larger magnitude interface earthquakes discussed above.

“Crustal” earthquakes occur within the North American Plate. Crustal earthquakes are shallow earthquakes, typically within the upper 5 or 10 miles of the earth’s surface, although some ruptures may reach the surface. In Western Washington crustal earthquakes are mostly related to the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Crustal earthquakes are known to occur not only on faults mapped as active or potentially active, but also on unknown faults. Many significant earthquakes in the United States have occurred on previously unknown faults.

Based on the historical seismicity in Washington State and on comparisons to other geologically similar areas, small to moderate crustal earthquakes up to about M5 or M5.5 are possible almost any place in Washington. There is also a possibility of larger crustal earthquakes in the M6+ range on unknown faults, although, the probability of such events is likely to be low.

 

6.3 Earthquake Concepts for Risk Assessments

            6.3.1 Earthquake Magnitudes

In evaluating earthquakes, it is important to recognize that the earthquake magnitude scale is not linear, but rather logarithmic (based on intervals corresponding to orders of magnitude). For example, each one step increase in magnitude, such as from M7 to M8, corresponds to an increase in the amount of energy released by the earthquake of a factor of about 30, based on the mathematics of the magnitude scale.

Thus, an M7 earthquake releases about 30 times more energy than an M6, while an M8 releases about 30 times more energy than an M7 and so on. Thus, a great M9 earthquake releases nearly 1,000 times (30 [M7] x 30 [M8]) more energy than a large earthquake of M7 and nearly 30,000 times more energy than an M6 earthquake (30 [M6] x 30 [M7] x 30 [M8]).

The public often assumes that the larger the magnitude of an earthquake, the worse it is. That is, the big one is an M9 earthquake and smaller earthquakes such as M6 or M7 are not the big one. However, this is true only in very general terms. Higher magnitude earthquakes do affect larger geographic areas, with much more widespread damage than smaller magnitude earthquakes. However, for a given site, the magnitude of an earthquake is not a good measure of the severity of the earthquake at that site.

For most locations, the best measure of the severity of an earthquake is the intensity of ground shaking. However for some sites, ground failures and other possible consequences of earthquakes, which are discussed later in this chapter (Section 6.6), may substantially increase the severity. 

For any earthquake, the severity and intensity of ground shaking at a given site depends on four main factors:

  • Earthquake magnitude,
  • Earthquake epicenter, which is the location on the earth’s surface directly above the point of origin of an earthquake,
  • Earthquake depth, and
  • Soil or rock conditions at the site, which may amplify or deamplify earthquake ground motions.

An earthquake will generally produce the strongest ground motions near the epicenter (the point on the ground above where the earthquake initiated) with the intensity of ground motions diminishing with increasing distance from the epicenter.  The intensity of ground shaking at a given location depends on the four factors listed above. Thus, for any given earthquake there will be contours of varying intensity of ground shaking vs. distance from the epicenter. The intensity will generally decrease with distance from the epicenter, and often in an irregular pattern, not simply in perfectly shaped concentric circles. This irregularity is caused by soil conditions, the complexity of earthquake fault rupture patterns, and possible directionality in the dispersion of earthquake energy.

The amount of earthquake damage and the size of the geographic area affected generally increase with earthquake magnitude. Below are some qualitative examples:

  • Earthquakes below about M5 are not likely to cause significant damage, even locally very near the epicenter.
  • Earthquakes between about M5 and M6 are likely to cause moderate damage near the epicenter.
  • Earthquakes of about M6.5 or greater (e.g., the 2001 Nisqually earthquake) can cause major damage, with damage usually concentrated fairly near the epicenter.
  • Larger earthquakes of M7+ cause damage over increasingly wider geographic areas with the potential for very high levels of damage near the epicenter.
  • Great earthquakes with M8+ can cause major damage over wide geographic areas.
  • A mega-quake M9 earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone could affect the entire Pacific Northwest from British Columbia, through Washington and Oregon, and as far south as Northern California, with the highest levels of damage near the coast.

            6.3.2 Intensity of Ground Shaking

There are many measures of the severity or intensity of earthquake ground motions.  The Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (MMI) was widely used beginning in the early 1900s. MMI is a descriptive, qualitative scale that relates severity of ground motions to the types of damage experienced. MMIs range from I to XII. More accurate, quantitative measures of the intensity of ground shaking have largely replaced the MMI. These modern intensity scales are used in the Shelton School District Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Modern intensity scales use terms that can be physically measured with seismometers (instruments that measure motions of the ground), such as acceleration, velocity, or displacement (movement). The intensity of earthquake ground motions may also be measured in spectral (frequency) terms, as a function of the frequency of earthquake waves propagating through the earth. In the same sense that sound waves contain a mix of low-, moderate-, and high-frequency sound waves, earthquake waves contain ground motions of various frequencies. The behavior of buildings and other structures depends substantially on the vibration frequencies of the building or structure vs. the spectral content of earthquake waves. Earthquake ground motions also include both horizontal and vertical components.

A common physical measure of the intensity of earthquake ground shaking, and the one used in this mitigation plan, is Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA). PGA is a measure of the intensity of shaking, relative to the acceleration of gravity (g). For example, an acceleration of 1.0 g PGA is an extremely strong ground motion that may occur near the epicenter of large earthquakes. With a vertical acceleration of 1.0 g, objects are thrown into the air. With a horizontal acceleration of 1.0 g, objects accelerate sideways at the same rate as if they had been dropped from the ceiling.  10% g PGA means the ground acceleration is 10% that of gravity, and so on.

Damage levels experienced in an earthquake vary with the intensity of ground shaking and with the seismic capacity of structures.  The following generalized observations provide qualitative statements about the likely extent of damages from earthquakes with various levels of ground shaking (PGA) at a given site:

  • Ground motions of only 1% g or 2% g are widely felt by people; hanging plants and lamps swing strongly, but damage levels, if any, are usually very low.
  • Ground motions below about 10% g usually cause only slight damage.
  • Ground motions between about 10% g and 30% g may cause minor to moderate damage in well-designed buildings, with higher levels of damage in more vulnerable buildings. At this level of ground shaking, some poorly designed buildings may be subject to collapse.
  • Ground motions above about 30% g may cause significant damage in well-designed buildings and very high levels of damage (including collapse) in poorly designed buildings.
  • Ground motions above about 50% g may cause significant damage in many buildings, including some buildings that have been designed to resist seismic forces.

6.4 Earthquake Hazard Maps

The current scientific understanding of earthquakes is incapable of predicting exactly where and when the next earthquake will occur. However, the long term probability of earthquakes is well enough understood to make useful estimates of the probability of various levels of earthquake ground motions at a given location.

The current consensus estimates for earthquake hazards in the United States are incorporated into the 2014 USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps. These maps are the basis of building code design requirements for new construction, per the International Building Code adopted in Washington State. The earthquake ground motions used for building design are set at 2/3rds of the 2% in 50 year ground motion.

The following maps show contours of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) with 10% and 2% chances of exceedance over the next 50 years to illustrate the levels of seismic hazard. The ground shaking values on the maps are expressed as a percentage of g, the acceleration of gravity. For example, the 10% in 50 year PGA value means that over the next 50 years there is a 10% probability of this level of ground shaking or higher.

In very qualitative terms, the 10% in 50 year ground motion represents a likely earthquake while the 2% in 50 year ground motion represents a level of ground shaking close to, but not the absolute, worst case scenario.

Figure 6.4 on the following page, the statewide 2% in 50 year ground motion map, is the best statewide representation of the variation in the level of seismic hazard in Washington State by location:

  • The dark red, pink, and orange areas have the highest levels of seismic hazard.
  • The tan, yellow, and blue areas have intermediate levels of seismic hazard.
  • The bright green and pale green areas have the lowest levels of seismic hazard.

The detailed geographical patterns in the maps reflect the varying contributions to seismic hazard from earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone and crustal earthquakes within the North American Plate. The differences in geographic pattern between the 2% in 50 year maps and the 10% in 50 year maps reflect different contributions from Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes and crustal earthquakes.

These maps are generated by including earthquakes from all known faults, taking into account the expected magnitudes and frequencies of earthquakes for each fault.  The maps also include contributions from unknown faults, which are statistically possible anywhere in Washington. The contributions from unknown faults are included via “area” seismicity which is distributed throughout the state.

An important caveat for interpreting these maps is that the 2014 USGS seismic hazard maps show the level of ground motions for rock sites. Ground motions on soil sites, especially soft soil sites will be significantly higher than for rock sites. Thus, for earthquake hazard analysis at a given site it is essential to include consideration of the site’s soil conditions.

The ground motions shown in the following figures represent ground motions with the specified probabilities of occurrence. At any given site, earthquakes may be experienced with ground motions over the entire range of levels of ground shaking from just detectible with sensitive seismometers to higher than the 2% in 50 year ground motion.

 

Figure 6.4
2014 USGS Seismic Hazard Map: Washington State6
PGA value (%g) with a 2% Chance of Exceedance in 50 years

 

Figure 6.5
2014 USGS Seismic Hazard Map: Washington State6
PGA value (%g) with a 10% Chance of Exceedance in 50 years

 


Figure 6.6
2014USGS Seismic Hazard Map: Puget Sound Area
PGA value (percent g) with a 2% Chance of Exceedance in 50 years

 

Figure 6.7
2014 USGS Seismic Hazard Map: Puget Sound Area
PGA value (percent g) with a 10% Chance of Exceedance in 50 years


6.5 Site Class: Soil and Rock Types

As discussed previously, the soil or rock type at a given location substantially affects the level of earthquake hazard because the soil or rock type may amplify or de-amplify ground motions. In general, soil sites, especially soft soil sites amplify ground motions. That is, for a given earthquake, a soil site immediately adjacent to a rock site will experience higher levels of earthquake ground motions than the rock site.

In simple terms, there are six soil or rock site classes:

  • A – Hard Rock
  • B – Rock
  • C – Very Dense Soil and Soft Rock
  • D – Firm Soil
  • E – Soft Soil
  • F – Very Soft Soil

Site classes for each campus in the Shelton School District are included in the campus-level report in Section 6.7. These estimates are from DNR or from site-specific determinations if such are entered into the OSPI ICOS PDM database.

6.6 Ground Failures and Other Aspects of Seismic Hazards

Much of the damage in earthquakes occurs from ground shaking that affects buildings and infrastructure. However, there are several other consequences of earthquakes that can result in substantially increased levels of damage in some locations. These consequences include: surface rupture; subsidence or elevation; liquefaction; settlement; lateral spreading; landslides; dam, reservoir or levee failures; tsunamis, and seiches. Any of these consequences can result in very severe damage to buildings, up to and including complete destruction, and also a high likelihood of casualties.

            6.6.1 Surface Rupture

Surface rupture occurs when the fault plane along which rupture occurs in an earthquake reaches the surface. Surface rupture may be horizontal and/or vertical displacement between the sides of the rupture plane. For a building subject to surface rupture, the level of damage is typically very high and often results in the destruction of the building.

Surface rupture does not occur with interface or intraplate earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone and does not occur with all crustal earthquakes. Faults in Washington State where surface rupture is likely, include the Seattle Fault System and the Tacoma Fault System.

            6.6.2 Subsidence

Large interface earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone are expected to result in subsidence of up to several feet or more along Washington’s Pacific Coast. For facilities located very near sea level, co-seismic subsidence may result in the facilities being below sea level or low enough so that flooding becomes very frequent.  Subsidence may also impede egress by blocking some routes and thus increase the likelihood of casualties from tsunamis.

6.6.3 Liquefaction, Settlement, and Lateral Spreading

Liquefaction is a process where loose, wet sediments lose bearing strength during an earthquake and behave similar to a liquid. Once a soil liquefies, it tends to settle vertically and/or spread laterally. With even very slight slopes, liquefied soils tend to move sideways downhill (lateral spreading). Settling or lateral spreading can cause major damage to buildings and to buried infrastructure such as pipes and cables.

Estimates of liquefaction potential for each campus in the Shelton School District are included in the campus-level report in Section 6.7. These estimates are from DNR or from site-specific determinations, if such determinations were entered into the OSPI ICOS PDM database by the district.

6.4 Seismic Risk Assessment for the Shelton School District’s Facilities

The potential impacts of future earthquakes on the Shelton  School District include damage to buildings and contents, disruption of educational services, displacement costs for temporary quarters if some buildings have enough damage to require moving out while repairs are made, and possible deaths and injuries for people in the buildings. The magnitude of potential impacts in future earthquakes can vary enormously from none in earthquakes that are felt but result in neither damages nor casualties, to very substantial for larger magnitude earthquakes with epicenters near a given campus.

The vulnerability of the Shelton School District’s facilities varies markedly from building to building, depending on each building’s structural system and date of construction (which governs the seismic design provisions). The level of risk on a building by building level is summarized in the building-level earthquake risk tables later in this chapter.

The initial seismic risk assessment for the district’s facilities at both the campus level and the building-level is largely automated from the data in the OSPI ICOS PDM database. The data used include GIS data for the location of each campus and district-specific data entered into the OSPI ICOS PDM database.

The three step hazard and risk assessment approach, outlined below, uses data in the OSPI ICOS PDM database for screening and prioritization of more detailed evaluations which usually require inputs from an engineer experienced with seismic assessments of buildings. The auto-generated reports help to minimize the level of effort required by districts and to reduce costs by prioritizing more detailed seismic evaluations, enabling the district to focus on the buildings most likely to have the most substantial seismic deficiencies. The three steps include:

  1. An auto-generated campus-level earthquake report that summarizes earthquake hazard data including ground shaking, site class, and liquefaction potential, and classifies the combined earthquake hazard level from these data. The campus-level report also includes priorities for building-level risk assessments and geotechnical evaluations of site conditions.
  2. An auto-generated building-level earthquake report that is based on the ASCE 41-13 seismic evaluation methodology. The building-level report contains the data necessary to determine whether a building is pre- or post-benchmark year for life safety. If a building is post-benchmark, it is generally deemed to provide adequate life safety and no further evaluation is necessary. If not, completing an ASCE 41-13 Tier 1 evaluation is recommended. The auto-generated report includes suggested priorities for Tier 1 evaluations.
  3. The third step includes completion and interpretation of the ASCE 41-13 Tier 1 evaluations and:
  1. More detailed evaluation of one or more buildings that are determined to have the highest priority for retrofit or replacement from the previous step.
  2. Design of seismic retrofits for buildings for which a retrofit is the preferred alternative.
  3. Implementation of retrofits or replacement of buildings, as funding becomes available.

Examples of the OSPI ICOS PDM database campus-level and building-level reports are shown on the following pages.


At the campus-level evaluation most schools have a ground shacking hazard of high to very high. The liquefaction risk is very low across the District.    

Upon closer review it is Oakland Bay Junior High School which has highest hazard risk level. This is a result of the 1990 gym and main buildings G built with tilt-up concrete prior to newer codes designed for this type of construction. There are other buildings at Bordeaux Elementary School, Choice Alternative School, Mountain View Elementary School and Oakland Bay Junior High School which are at elevated risk. Most of the higher risk areas are older masonry construction.

On February 14th, 2017 the community of Shelton voted to pass a $64,778,906 Bond the work will include a replacement or modernization of Mountain View Elementary and a partial replacement or modernization and capacity space addition at Shelton High School.  These two schools are beyond their life cycles and qualify for OSPI funding to replace or modernize. The school district will update ICOS with latest building information as projects are completed and mitigation plan will be updated.

6.8 Previous Earthquake Events

The school district did experience significant ground shaking as a result of the February 28, 2001 Nisqually Magnitude 6.8 earthquake. Post seismic event inspections following the earthquake did not find any identifiable damage to school campuses requiring repair. 

6.9 Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Measures for K–12 Facilities

            6.9.1 Typical Seismic Mitigation Measures

There are several possible earthquake mitigation Action Items for the district’s facilities, including:

  • Replacement of seismically vulnerable buildings with new buildings that meet or exceed the seismic provisions in the current building code,
  • Structural retrofits for buildings,
  • Nonstructural retrofits for buildings and contents,
  • Installation of emergency generators for buildings with critical functions, including designated emergency shelters, and
  • Enhanced emergency planning, including earthquake exercises and drills.

Of these potential earthquake Action Items, FEMA mitigation grants, which typically provide 75% of total project costs, may be available for structural or nonstructural retrofits and for emergency generators.

Earthquake Action Items for the Shelton School District are given in Table 6.4 on the following page.

Table 6.4
Shelton School District: Earthquake Action Items

Hazard

Action Item

Timeline

Source
of Funds

Resp.
Party

Plan Goals Addressed

Life Safety

Protect Facili.

Enhance Emerg. Planning

Enhance Awareness and Education

Earthquake Mitigation Action Items

Short-Term #1

Evaluate the seismic vulnerability of the highest priority buildings listed previously by having a structural engineer complete an ASCE 41-13 Tier 1 evaluation.

1-2 Years

District Funding or Grants

Board, Supt., M&O

X

X

X

Short-Term #2

Assess the ASCE 41-13 results to determine priorities for more detailed evaluations and retrofit buildings with substantial deficiencies, as funding becomes available.

1-2 Years

District Funding or Grants

Board, Supt., M&O

X

X

X

Short-Term #3

Ensure that the renovations/modernization of the Mountain View Elementary School and Shelton High School include seismic upgrades when necessary to provide life safety.

1-3 Years

District Funding or Grants

M&O

X

X

X

Short-Term #4

Evaluate the foundations of the portable buildings to determine whether they are adequate for earthquakes.

1-3 Years

District Funding or Grants

M&O

X

X

X

Long-Term #1

Maintain and update building data for seismic risk assessments in the OSPI ICOS PDM database.

Ongoing

District Funding or Grants

M&O

X

X

X

Long-Term #2

Enhance emergency planning for earthquakes including duck and cover and evacuation drills.

Ongoing

District Funding or Grants

S&S

X

X

X

 

On February 14th, 2017 the community of Shelton voted to pass a $64,778,906 Bond the work will include a replacement or modernization of Mountain View Elementary and a partial replacement or modernization and capacity space addition at Shelton High School.  These two schools are beyond their life cycles and qualify for OSPI funding to replace or modernize. The school district will update mitigation plan action items will be updated.

6.10 References

1. United States Geological Survey (2013). Largest Earthquakes in the World Since 1900. (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/10_largest_world.php)

2. University of Washington (2002). Map and List of Significant Quakes in WA and OR, the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network. University of Washington Department of Earth Sciences.

3. Washington State Department of Natural Resources (2013).  (https://fortress.wa.gov/geology?Theme-wigm)

4. Cascadia Region Earthquake Working Group (2005): Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquakes: A Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake Scenario.

5. Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission (2013). The Oregon Resilience Plan.

6. Washington State Department of Natural Resources (2004). Liquefaction Susceptibility and Site Class Maps of Grays Harbor County, Washington. Open File Report 2004-20.



 
  • 700 S. First St., Shelton, WA 98584
  • p: 360-426-1687
  • f: 360-427-8610

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Shelton School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX Coordinator: Tabitha Whiting, Executive Dir. of Human Resources; 700 S. First Street; Shelton, WA 98584; 360-426-1687; Email: [email protected]

Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Ivy Kardes, Director of Special Services; 700 S. First Street; Shelton, WA 98584; 360-426-2151; Email: [email protected]

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Tabitha Whiting, Executive Dir. of Human Resources; 700 S. First Street; Shelton, WA 98584; 360-426-1687; Email: [email protected]

Gender Inclusive School Coordinator: Rich Squire, Safety and Security Manager; 700 S. 1st Street; Shelton, WA 98584; 360-426-6322; Email: [email protected]

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint.

For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination policy and procedure, contact your school or district office or view Policy and Procedure 3210 online here: Policy & Procedure - Shelton School District

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.