K.C v. Everett Public Schools

Honorable Barbara J. Rothstein

8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 9 AT SEATTLE G.C., by and through his parent K.C., Case No.: 2:24-cv-01838-BJR Plaintiffs, v. ORDER GRANTING STIPULATED 13 MOTION TO FILE UNREDACTED EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD UNDER 14 SEAL Defendant.

This matter comes before the Court on the parties’ stipulated motion to file the administrative record under seal. The Court starts from the position that there is “a strong presumption in favor of access to court records.” Foltz v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 331 F.3d 19 1122, 1135 (9th Cir. 2003). To overcome this presumption, there must be a “compelling reason” for sealing that is “sufficient to outweigh the public’s interest in disclosure.” Kamakana v. City & County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1179 (9th Cir. 2006). Compelling reasons exist in this case: the administrative record contains a student’s private educational and medical information, and Plaintiffs’ interest in keeping that information confidential outweighs the public’s interest in disclosure. See id. Given the volume of the record and the prevalence of sensitive information,

1 of 2 | ORDER GRANTING STIP. MOTION TO SEAL Cedar Law PLLC ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD 113 Cherry St., PMB 96563 redacting this confidential information would be overly burdensome and would render the remaining record difficult to understand – and thus far less valuable – to the public.

3 Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the parties’ stipulated motion and DIRECTS the Clerk to maintain the administrative record under seal once it is filed.

5 Dated this 31st day of January, 2025.

6 A B arbara Jacobs Rothstein 8 U .S. District Court Judge Presented by: CEDAR LAW PLLC By: _ s/ Ryan Ford__________ Ryan P. Ford, WSBA # 50628 Rachel Sugar, WSBA #60234 Attorneys for Plaintiffs

PACIFICA LAW GROUP LLP By: __s/ Sarah Johnson______ Susan Winkleman, WSBA #49544 Sarah C. Johnson, WSBA #34529 Attorneys for Defendant

2 of 2 | ORDER GRANTING STIP. MOTION TO SEAL Cedar Law PLLC ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD 113 Cherry St., PMB 96563