MLHS assistant principal reinstated by school district

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School Assistant Principal James Yonko was reinstated by the Moses Lake School District on Tuesday, nearly a month after the Grant County Sheriff’s Office did not recommend charges against the administrator for allegedly inappropriately touching a foreign exchange student.

In a statement, Moses Lake School District Superintendent Michelle Price said the investigation related to the allegations made by a student against Yonko was concluded.

“The allegations were unsubstantiated and Mr. Yonko has been fully reinstated,” Price said in a press release. “Mr. Yonko is a valued team member and will resume all of his responsibilities at Moses Lake High School.”

Yonko was placed on paid administrative leave in April for an investigation into a complaint made by an 18-year-old foreign exchange student. In a previous report by the Columbia Basin Herald, Price said the complaint was initially filed with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

In late June, the sheriff’s office recommended that no charges be filed against Yonko. Documents released in June after a court injunction said that Yonko was being investigated for inappropriately touching a foreign exchange student who was living in his home.

Yonko denied the allegations when he was interviewed by deputies and explained the student was mad because he and his wife wouldn’t allow her to attend a party.

“The Yonkos are very pleased with this turn of events,” attorney Bryce McPartland said in an email. “It has been a very long haul for them. I know James is excited to return to work, and resume his work with Moses Lake School District on behalf of this community.

“His family is extremely grateful for all the support that they have received, throughout this ordeal. I am personally very happy for James and his family, and look forward to seeing him back on campus.”

A previous CBH report stated that Yonko was considering a defamation suit against the former student. McPartland did not confirm whether the suit was still in play.

“I think it’s simply important to reiterate how anxious Mr. Yonko is to get back to work and put this awful ordeal behind him,” he said in an email.

Yonko is the former principal of Columbia Basin Secondary School in Moses Lake and has 22 years of certificated experience.