suit against the Kent School District on behalf of 13 families, alleging that district security officers used excessive force against 15 black students. The suit, filed in King County Superior Court, names the Kent School District, superintendent Barbara Grohe and school security officer Gayle Mangino as defendants. In the suit, the families say district security officers used metal handcuffs to restrain students, threw them against lockers or on the floor, pulled their hair or used painful pressure holds to force students to comply. The suit also alleges black students were disciplined at a disproportionate rate than other students. The families also accuse Grohe of negligence, and say she failed to properly supervise district security officers. Kent School District spokeswoman Becky Hanks said district administrators had not had a chance to thoroughly review the lawsuit, but said the suit was without merit. The lawsuit was dismissed in May 2005. Students at Kentridge High School vs. Kent School District In April 2003, students at Kentridge High School south of Seattle filed a lawsuit against their school after being blocked from starting a Bible club. The students say their First Amendment rights had been violated by the school district. September 2002, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit confirmed that Bible clubs are allowed to seek ASB sponsorship as any other club may lawfully do, be it Chess club or Muslim club. The court made this decision on the basis that it was a government exclusion of beliefs when the Bethel School District in Spanaway, Washington denied students the option of peacefully organizing outside of school hours a few years ago. Washington State Labor Board vs. Kent School District In August 2005, the Washington State Labor Board filed suit against the Kent School District for violating labor laws by using special needs children as "slave labor" building IKEA furniture for school employees and their friends and family. The case was decided in favor of the labor board and an injunction was ordered preventing the school district from having special needs children from performing any activities related to the lawsuit. It is currently pending appeal with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Teacher Strike On August 26, 2009, teachers in the school district went on strike, for reasons including teacher and student rights and less meetings so teachers can spend more time helping their students. Out of 1,700 teachers, 1,500, 86%,