News Republic schools, burns books and rapes kids. - Page 2

MOhillbilly · 08-18-2011, 07:09 AM

http://www.news-leader.com/article/2...ver-rape-claim

A lawsuit filed against the Republic School District alleges school officials failed to protect a middle school girl from a male classmate who harassed her, sexually assaulted her, and raped her.In its written response, the school district denies all allegations in the suit and calls the claims frivolous.
The suit, filed July 5, alleges when the girl — a special education student — told officials about the harassment, assault and rape that occurred during the 2008-09 school year, they told her they did not believe her. She recanted.
The suit also alleges that, without seeking her mother’s permission, school officials forced the girl to write a letter of apology to the boy and personally deliver it to him. She was then expelled for the rest of the 2008-2009 school year and referred to juvenile authorities for filing a false report.
“School Officials, although mandatory reporters under Missouri’s Child Abuse Reporting Law, failed to report [the girl’s] complaints to the Division of Family Services or to Greene County Juvenile Authorities,” the suit says.

In 2009-10, the girl was allowed back in school, and the boy continued to harass and assault her, the suit says. She did not tell school officials because she was afraid she would be accused of lying and kicked out of school.
In February 2010, the boy allegedly forcibly raped the girl again, this time in the back of the school library. While school officials allegedly expressed skepticism of the girl, her mother took her to the Child Advocacy Center and an exam showed a sexual assault had occurred. DNA in semen found on the girl matched the DNA of the boy she accused, the suit says.

The boy was taken into custody in Juvenile Court and pleaded guilty to charges, the suit says. The specific charges are not stated in the suit.

“School Officials acted recklessly in conscious disregard of and with deliberate indifference to the risk of [the girl’s] safety by failing to conduct an investigation into her allegations of rape and sexual assault, by suspending her from school, and by failing to provide her with any protection from her rapist,” the suit says.

The suit alleges that when school officials interviewed the girl in 2008-09, they failed to even look at her own school file, which included a psychological report “which clearly indicated that [the girl] was conflict adverse, behaviorally passive and ‘would forego her own needs and wishes to satisfy the request of others around so she can be accepted.’”

The 23-page suit was filed July 5 and only identifies the girl, her mother, and the boy by initials. The girl is represented by attorney Doug Harpool. The suit seeks unspecified actual and punitive damages.

Defendants specifically named in the suit are the Republic School District, Superintendent Vern Minor, middle school Principal Patricia Mithelavage, counselor Joni Ragain, and school resource officer Robert Duncan.
The school district’s 19-page response was filed July 29.

“Plaintiff’s claims against the District are frivolous, and have no basis in fact or law” said the response, written by the school district’s lawyers Celynda Brasher and Michelle Basi. “Therefore, the District Defendants are entitled to an award of their reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.”
The girl failed and neglected to use reasonable means to protect her self, the response says. Any damages the girl may have sustained, “were as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the District Defendants had neither control nor the right to control,” according to the school district response.

Frazod · 08-18-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

They seem more concerned with the book burnin than child rapes.

What's the book burning part? Perhaps it's just too early in the morning, but I didn't see that in the story.

**gblowfish** · 08-18-2011, 08:26 AM

Somewhere, Kurt Vonnegut is laughing his ass off...

**luv** · 08-18-2011, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

Small town politics for sure. Old blood goes a long long long damn way around here.

Politics or not, the school shouldn't stand a chance. It's a civil trial, so it's not like you have to prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt.

MOhillbilly · 08-18-2011, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

What's the book burning part? Perhaps it's just too early in the morning, but I didn't see that in the story.

school board banned slaughter house and 20 boy summer.

MOhillbilly · 08-18-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Politics or not, the school shouldn't stand a chance. It's a civil trial, so it's not like you have to prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt.

back up and think about the reasons it was swept under the rug in the first place not why i/you/we think the defense would stand a snowballs chance in hades.

Hydrae · 08-18-2011, 08:30 AM

A little sdieways of the topic but I never understood suing a school district for large amounts of money. Schools are having enough time with their budgets right now. So if they win a large settlement it will mean other cuts for the school. Basically they are saying that since the school failed to protect my child every other child in town should have a lesser education.

I don't know, just a ramification of these lawsuits that has always bugged me.

**luv** · 08-18-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

back up and think about the reasons it was swept under the rug in the first place not why i/you/we would think the defense would stand a snowballs chance in hades.

Surely, the jury will not be full of politicians or their families. I know it's a small town, but not small enough to where you can't find someone who's not related to a public official.

And there are other towns in Greene county to find jurors that would be clueless to this case.

**luv** · 08-18-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

A little sdieways of the topic but I never understood suing a school district for large amounts of money. Schools are having enough time with their budgets right now. So if they win a large settlement it will mean other cuts for the school. Basically they are saying that since the school failed to protect my child every other child in town should have a lesser education.

I don't know, just a ramification of these lawsuits that has always bugged me.

How else would you propose to hold them accountable?

MOhillbilly · 08-18-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

Surely, the jury will not be full of politicians or their families. I know it's a small town, but not small enough to where you can't find someone who's not related to a public official.

im gonna punch you. -facepalm-

**luv** · 08-18-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

im gonna punch you. -facepalm-

You seriously think this case will have a different result due to the kid being related to someone? I guess I'm naive. Or I have more faith in common people.

Frazod · 08-18-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

How else would you propose to hold them accountable?

Throw the rapist, everybody who looked the other way, and the people who pulled their strings in the general population of a federal prison for a few months. After that, their ideas on rape might alter a bit.

Too bad eye for an eye isn't common practice in this country. God knows crime would drop fairly dramatically if it was.

Hydrae has a point, though. The main people who will pay for this are the other kids.

**luv** · 08-18-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Throw the rapist, everybody who looked the other way, and the people who pulled their strings in the general population of a federal prison for a few months. After that, their ideas on rape might alter a bit.

Too bad eye for an eye isn't common practice in this country. God knows crime would drop fairly dramatically if it was.

Hydrae has a point, though. The main people who will pay for this are the other kids.

I agree, that's why I asked.

MOhillbilly · 08-18-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

You seriously think this case will have a different result due to the kid being related to someone? I guess I'm naive. Or I have more faith in common people.

-facepalm- im sayin the raper may have connections and thats why it never came to the light of day until the rape kit came in positive.

Frazod · 08-18-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

I agree, that's why I asked.

No good answer. Welcome to modern America. See you in court.

**Bugeater** · 08-18-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

How else would you propose to hold them accountable?

They should all lose their jobs and every ****ing thing they own.

08-18-2011, 07:09 AM
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	Republic schools, burns books and rapes kids. http://www.news-leader.com/article/2...ver-rape-claim A lawsuit filed against the Republic School District alleges school officials failed to protect a middle school girl from a male classmate who harassed her, sexually assaulted her, and raped her.In its written response, the school district denies all allegations in the suit and calls the claims frivolous. The suit, filed July 5, alleges when the girl — a special education student — told officials about the harassment, assault and rape that occurred during the 2008-09 school year, they told her they did not believe her. She recanted. The suit also alleges that, without seeking her mother’s permission, school officials forced the girl to write a letter of apology to the boy and personally deliver it to him. She was then expelled for the rest of the 2008-2009 school year and referred to juvenile authorities for filing a false report. “School Officials, although mandatory reporters under Missouri’s Child Abuse Reporting Law, failed to report [the girl’s] complaints to the Division of Family Services or to Greene County Juvenile Authorities,” the suit says. In 2009-10, the girl was allowed back in school, and the boy continued to harass and assault her, the suit says. She did not tell school officials because she was afraid she would be accused of lying and kicked out of school. In February 2010, the boy allegedly forcibly raped the girl again, this time in the back of the school library. While school officials allegedly expressed skepticism of the girl, her mother took her to the Child Advocacy Center and an exam showed a sexual assault had occurred. DNA in semen found on the girl matched the DNA of the boy she accused, the suit says. The boy was taken into custody in Juvenile Court and pleaded guilty to charges, the suit says. The specific charges are not stated in the suit. “School Officials acted recklessly in conscious disregard of and with deliberate indifference to the risk of [the girl’s] safety by failing to conduct an investigation into her allegations of rape and sexual assault, by suspending her from school, and by failing to provide her with any protection from her rapist,” the suit says. The suit alleges that when school officials interviewed the girl in 2008-09, they failed to even look at her own school file, which included a psychological report “which clearly indicated that [the girl] was conflict adverse, behaviorally passive and ‘would forego her own needs and wishes to satisfy the request of others around so she can be accepted.’” The 23-page suit was filed July 5 and only identifies the girl, her mother, and the boy by initials. The girl is represented by attorney Doug Harpool. The suit seeks unspecified actual and punitive damages. Defendants specifically named in the suit are the Republic School District, Superintendent Vern Minor, middle school Principal Patricia Mithelavage, counselor Joni Ragain, and school resource officer Robert Duncan. The school district’s 19-page response was filed July 29. “Plaintiff’s claims against the District are frivolous, and have no basis in fact or law” said the response, written by the school district’s lawyers Celynda Brasher and Michelle Basi. “Therefore, the District Defendants are entitled to an award of their reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.” The girl failed and neglected to use reasonable means to protect her self, the response says. Any damages the girl may have sustained, “were as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the District Defendants had neither control nor the right to control,” according to the school district response.
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08-18-2011, 08:26 AM	#17
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17606178 VARSITY	Somewhere, Kurt Vonnegut is laughing his ass off...
Posts: 40,843

08-18-2011, 08:30 AM	#21
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2097000	A little sdieways of the topic but I never understood suing a school district for large amounts of money. Schools are having enough time with their budgets right now. So if they win a large settlement it will mean other cuts for the school. Basically they are saying that since the school failed to protect my child every other child in town should have a lesser education. I don't know, just a ramification of these lawsuits that has always bugged me.
Posts: 14,693