Bellevue principal on leave after claiming a school aide’s seizure stemmed from cocaine use

The principal of a Bellevue elementary school has been put on administrative leave after telling 911 dispatchers, apparently based on hearsay, that a school aide who was having a seizure in a classroom was a cocaine user.

The aide was awake after suffering a seizure Jan. 23 in a classroom at Phantom Lake Elementary School but did not respond to a question from Principal Heather Snookal about whether she had ingested drugs, according to the 911 call audio.

The aide has not been identified by the school district or by police. A note from the school district to parents after the incident said, “Paramedics and law enforcement arrived promptly, and we’re happy to report the staff member is safe and doing well.”

A letter sent Monday to families of Phantom Lake students said Snookal had been placed on leave and Laurie Harvey was serving as interim principal.

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During the 911 call, which KUOW obtained via a public records request, Snookal can be heard asking the aide whether she had taken anything that morning. Snookal tells the dispatcher she used to be an EMT and takes the call off speaker phone.

“This is a person that uses cocaine,” Snookal tells the 911 dispatcher. “I’m certain that’s part of it.”

The dispatcher asks whether the aide, who is still on the classroom floor recovering from the seizure, had drugs on her.

“She probably does,” Snookal said. “I don’t know and I can’t search her.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, a video with an abbreviated version of the 911 audio posted on Facebook had more than 39,000 views.

The police report from the incident said Snookal had not witnessed the aide use drugs and only had third-hand knowledge of any alleged drug use. The report said other staff reported that the aide had two previous health incidents in the last month — a seizure suffered at a bar and a fall in a Phantom Lake classroom.

The aide declined offers to be taken to the hospital via ambulance, but told responders that she might go later in the day with a coworker, the police report said.

KUOW reached out to Snookal after she was placed on leave. She responded that she had no comment at this time.

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Because the incident remains part of an active investigation, school district officials said they cannot provide additional information.

“We know that stability in school leadership is deeply important to families, especially during moments when you may be hearing a great deal of information through social media or informal conversations,” Director of Schools Kellea Taylor said to parents in a prepared statement. “Please know that our focus remains firmly on ensuring your children are supported in a safe, caring learning environment every day. Our staff is committed to maintaining strong routines, clear communication, and a nurturing school climate.”

News of the 911 call and Snookal’s removal comes in the wake of more controversy facing Phantom Lake Elementary School. Over winter break, a gun was discovered in the boys’ bathroom. It was left there by a man who attends Lighthouse Christian Church, which has rented the school for its Sunday services since 2008.

All this news comes a week before the district is going to voters with two levies — one for educational programs and operations and a second for capital projects. That special election is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 10.