Ex-Woodland principal agrees to criminal diversion deal

Had the case gone to trial, it would have been difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Houk used excessive force to restrain the student, said Fred Johnson, Woodland city prosecutor.

The student’s mother didn’t want her son to have to testify during a trial, and Houk’s career as a school principal is likely over anyway, he added.

“We believe … this is an appropriate resolution,” Johnson told Cowlitz District Court Judge David Koss.

The boy’s mother declined to comment Tuesday.

Houk has been on paid administrative leave since March and will continue in that status until January, when the Woodland School District will hold a hearing to decide whether there is reason to fire him, Superintendent Michael Green said Tuesday.

In May, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction launched an investigation into whether Houk should lose his principal’s certification, spokesman Nathan Olson said. OSPI investigations usually take 12 to 18 months, Olson said, but he couldn’t comment on the status of Houk’s investigation.

During a Feb. 26 confrontation, Houk allegedly grabbed the victim “sharply” by the upper arms and shoulders, shoved him into a cabinet and flung his glasses across the room, according to police reports. He allegedly held the student on the floor for more than 23 minutes during a January confrontation and did the same for more than 13 minutes during an October episode.

Houk then allegedly asked school district personnel to falsify information on incident reports about his physical discipline of students, according to the police investigation. Teachers interviewed in the investigation allegedly reported being berated and intimidated by Houk.

The Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the case as well, but declined to file felony charges.

Green said no school district policies will change as a result of the allegations.

Following Tuesday’s hearing, Houk said the situation was unfair to him, and in the end would only hurt kids and those who love to help them.

“I love kids. I love my career,” Houk said as he left court, declining further comment.

Houk was appointed Woodland primary school principal in 1999 and served in that position until he was put on leave, after allegations of abuse emerged.