Legal news for New York personal injury and civil rights attorneys – Mohawk Central School District reached deal in a student’s harassment lawsuit: to pay $50,000, review policies.
School does not admit fault, but pays out $50,000 to family of bullied student.
Mohawk, New York (www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – A federal judge approved a settlement on Monday, March 29, 2010, that includes compensatory damages and a series of reforms for the Mohawk Central School District, as reported by the Boston Globe. A gay student had filed the lawsuit claiming classmates relentlessly bullied him while the school did nothing to prevent or end it.
In addition to the $50,000 the school district will pay the boy’s family, the school has agreed to work with the Anti-Defamation League and hold staff training on appropriate ways to address issues of harassment, review its policies and procedures governing harassment, and report to the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Department of Justice on these efforts.
The lawsuit was filed in August 2009 by the New York Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Gregory B. Jarvis Junior/Senior High School student who reported the abuse. The student claimed to be repeatedly harassed, threatened and physically assaulted at school for being gay. The suit maintained that district officials were aware of the bullying and did not respond. The victim, now 15 years old, has since transferred schools.
Under the agreement, the student has agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and the district admits no wrongdoing.
Legal News Reporter: Tara Monks – Legal news for New York personal injury and civil rights attorneys.