ARLINGTON – A former Arlington School District track coach from 2011-2015 has resigned from his job as a Lake Stevens High School teacher after being accused of a sexual relationship with a former student.
Lake Stevens police investigated Thomas “Chris” Mattingly, 47, on suspicion of misdemeanor sexual misconduct. Prosecutors declined to file charges because the former student reported she was 18 and had graduated before the relationship started.
Mattingly, who is married, has denied any wrongdoing.
The Lake Stevens School District has an ongoing internal investigation, attorney Pat Buchanan said. In addition, the state superintendent’s office is reviewing Mattingly’s teaching license.
In Washington, the legal age for sexual consent generally is 16. However, teachers, police officers and others in positions of public trust face additional rules regarding their conduct.
