Kent schools act after Muslim staffers get hate mail

Hate mail sent to Muslim staffers at Kent schools prompted a response from the district this week as students returned to class.

This past weekend a Muslim woman who is an assistant principal at an elementary school received a hateful email.

Chris Loftis, communications director for the Kent School District, said it appears to have come from out of state.

"It said, 'I can't for the life of me believe you're an assistant principal of this school. The Muslim religion is not a peaceful religion and how dare you smile in a burqa,'" Loftis said. "And in all caps it says, "you do not belong in America and you'll never be fully accepted here.'”

Another piece of hate mail was sent to a district staffer in June.

A young Muslim woman at Kentlake High School received an obscene handwritten letter in her mail box disparaging her and her faith.

Loftis said local police decided neither instance could be prosecuted as a hate crime. The district also sent the recent email to the FBI.

He said there doesn't appear to be a connection between the two incidents.

The district superintendent sent out an email Wednesday to all 4,500 employees. Loftis says it reminded them that the district stands for inclusiveness and tolerance.

“We're one of the most diverse schools in the state and the country," he said. "There's just absolutely no place for bigotry or hate or expressions of hate. We'll support our staff members, our students, and people just need to recognize that this stops and it stops today.”