Allentown Public School Hit with $15 million Federal Lawsuit
Public school officials' negligence has been met with a legal challenge. The lawsuit alleges that a Central Elementary school principal, et. al, failed to do anything about a 12-year-old sexual predator who raped several first graders.
The legal argument made by the school's attorney - who is hiding behind the Constitution and governmental immunity - isn't making him any friends in the community: "In federal court last month, the district's lawyer, John Freund III, argued that school officials cannot be held responsible under the Constitution simply for failing to protect youngsters from assaults by other students.
He cited federal court rulings that say school systems are generally immune from paying damages unless it can be shown that they actually took 'affirmative' steps that put youngsters in danger, and that the action taken 'shocks the conscience.' "
An editorial on the legislative response to this ugly situation.
