School district to pay $325,000 to student sexually harassed and assaulted by teacher



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Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Civil Rights Newsletter

Schools Must Do Everything Possible to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Assault

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights *announced a settlement agreement* [ [link removed] ] with AFSA K-12 Public Charter School District #4074 in Vadnais Heights after finding the district?was aware of a teacher?s inappropriate interactions with E.D., a ninth-grade student, and failed to prevent him from ultimately sexually assaulting her.?

Now, the district must pay the student $325,000 and make changes to prevent future sexual harassment and assault.

Quote from E.D.

In this case, the principal and multiple teachers were aware that the teacher was interacting inappropriately with E.D. but failed to meaningfully intervene.

The principal failed to launch an investigation into the teacher?s conduct, speak directly with E.D., inform her parents, and suspend or otherwise discipline the teacher.

Instead, the principal failed to follow district policies and only told the teacher to stay away from the student. The teacher did not stay away from E.D. and ultimately sexually assaulted her.???

Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, schools have a legal responsibility to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault.

During the Walz-Flanagan administration, MDHR has settled countless sexual harassment and assault cases involving K-12 schools, universities, and workplaces of all sizes.

In the News?

* *Vadnais Heights charter school to pay $325,000 after teacher sexually harassed, assaulted student (Star Tribune) [ [link removed] ]*
* *School district settles with student sexually assaulted by teacher (KARE 11) [ [link removed] ]*
* *School district to pay student $325,000 after failing to stop teacher's sexual assault (Bring Me The News) [ [link removed] ]
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Friday is the Deadline to Submit Information to the Court about the Consent Decree?

Hennepin County District Court Judge Janisch invites individuals, organizations, and any other interested parties to share their positions on *the court enforceable agreement* [ [link removed] ] by submitting a "friend of the court? brief (called an amicus brief) to the court. ?

This is a legal document that tells Judge Janisch whether the interested party supports the court enforceable agreement.

*Friday, June 23, 2023, is the deadline Judge Janisch set to submit information.*

To submit this to the court, you will need to follow the process Judge Janisch?*laid out in her Order* [ [link removed] ].

There is a process for?*getting the filing fee waived [ [link removed] ]*. Contact the?*help desk [ [link removed] ]*?at the Government Center for assistance completing the forms seeking a fee waiver. The help desk offers support through email, Zoom appointments, and walk-ins but please plan for extra time to get this additional support if needed.?


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Discrimination Helpline

We want to hear from Minnesotans who believe they experienced or witnessed discrimination.?

*Report online [ [link removed] ]* or call the *Discrimination Helpline*?at?*1-833-454-0148*.



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