Girl sexually assaulted in band room closet at Reeds Spring High School, lawsuit says
Reeds Spring, MO Aug 29 2020
The Reeds Spring School District is facing a federal lawsuit after a girl says she was forced into a storage closet and sexually assaulted by another student in the high school’s band room.
The girl’s mother filed the lawsuit Wednesday, claiming the school district didn’t follow Title IX guidelines or protect the girl from a “sexually hostile educational environment.”
According to the lawsuit, the girl was excused from class to use the restroom on Jan. 15, but on her way to the bathroom she was forced into an unlocked storage closet in the high school band room and sexually assaulted by another student.
The lawsuit says the school district erred in not monitoring the girl’s whereabouts, especially after she did not return to class for the entire period.
Furthermore, the lawsuit says the school district should have kept the band room and storage closet locked when they were not in use and monitored security cameras at the school.
The lawsuit says the school district’s errors created a “dangerous” environment where a sexual assault could occur.
According to the lawsuit, the girl suffered physical injury, emotional distress, economic damages and loss of enjoyment of life.
The girl’s mother is asking for damages in an amount of money that is “fair and reasonable.”
Joshua Roberts, a Springfield attorney representing the mother, said there were no criminal charges filed in this case because the other student claimed the sexual encounter was consensual.
The Reeds Spring School District issued the following statement about the case:
“The Reeds Spring School District is deeply concerned about the welfare of our students. The district believes a safe environment is essential and we strive to always make decisions that are in the best interest of our students. The district does not tolerate behavior that puts students in danger, and we strive to always act with honesty and transparency as allowed by law.”
The school district in Reeds Spring in recent years agreed to settlements totaling $937,500 after three lawsuits were filed related to alleged sexual harassment by now-retired superintendent Michael Mason.
