Parents sue Episcopal School of Dallas over daughter's relationship with teacher

[knight_shadow]

The parents of a former student at the Episcopal School of Dallas are suing the private school, accusing it of failing to protect their 16-year-old daughter from a sexual relationship with a teacher and expelling her “for being a victim.”

“The teacher victimized her, then the school victimized her,” the girl’s father said in an interview. The parents are identified in court papers as John and Jane Doe to protect their daughter’s privacy. The Rev. Stephen Swann, the school’s headmaster, did not return a call for comment, but attorney Donald E. Godwin said the school “took every appropriate action.”

“ESD did not dismiss the young lady from the school,” Godwin said. “It was the decision of the parents, of the father, to remove the student from the school.” The lawsuit alleges that J. Nathan Campbell, who taught history at the school, had a sexual relationship with the girl for seven months. Campbell could not be reached for comment.

The relationship, which allegedly began in the spring of 2009, was discovered last fall when the teacher and student were found by police at night in a car in an abandoned parking lot. According to the parents, the two claimed the girl was undergoing counseling. No arrests were made immediately, but after the Police Department contacted the school, Campbell resigned.

link

I guess I'm failing to see how this is the school's fault. Sure, they're the ones with the money, but if they're truly seeking justice, they should be going after the teacher.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

The parents of a former student at the Episcopal School of Dallas are suing the private school, accusing it of failing to protect their 16-year-old daughter from a sexual relationship with a teacher and expelling her “for being a victim.”

“The teacher victimized her, then the school victimized her,” the girl’s father said in an interview. The parents are identified in court papers as John and Jane Doe to protect their daughter’s privacy. The Rev. Stephen Swann, the school’s headmaster, did not return a call for comment, but attorney Donald E. Godwin said the school “took every appropriate action.”

“ESD did not dismiss the young lady from the school,” Godwin said. “It was the decision of the parents, of the father, to remove the student from the school.” The lawsuit alleges that J. Nathan Campbell, who taught history at the school, had a sexual relationship with the girl for seven months. Campbell could not be reached for comment.

The relationship, which allegedly began in the spring of 2009, was discovered last fall when the teacher and student were found by police at night in a car in an abandoned parking lot. According to the parents, the two claimed the girl was undergoing counseling. No arrests were made immediately, but after the Police Department contacted the school, Campbell resigned.

link

I guess I'm failing to see how this is the school's fault. Sure, they're the ones with the money, but if they're truly seeking justice, they should be going after the teacher.

School's arguably responsible for hiring the teacher/keeping the teacher and allegedly expelling the student.

I say arguably since that's the whole point of the case.

[Kevin]

I can't comment on Texas law, but I could definitely see a possible case against the school for negligent hiring (if the teacher has a history) and failure to protect because of the in loco parentis relationship if that's supported by the law in Texas.

I trust that the lawsuit against both the teacher and the school isn't frivolous. And as to its outcome, I don't really care.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Kevin

failure to protect because of the in loco parentis relationship

I can see that, but isn't that only in effect while the child is at school?

I doubt that 1) they were engaging in intercourse/promoting their relationship during school hours and 2) giving daily updates of their statutory exploits to administrators.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I can see that, but isn't that only in effect while the child is at school?

I doubt that 1) they were engaging in intercourse/promoting their relationship during school hours and 2) giving daily updates of their statutory exploits to administrators.

If I introduced you to a guy and told you he was a really great person and you should hang out, and then he steals all your stuff, you're gonna be pissed at me. If I were somehow in a position of authority and told you to hang out with this guy, you might sue me.

No, having a relationship isn't stealing, but it is a violation of trust, ethics, policy and possibly the law.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

If I introduced you to a guy and told you he was a really great person and you should hang out, and then he steals all your stuff, you're gonna be pissed at me. If I were somehow in a position of authority and told you to hang out with this guy, you might sue me.

No, having a relationship isn't stealing, but it is a violation of trust, ethics, policy and possibly the law.

I'd be pissed at him, not you (but I see what you're getting at).

On the other hand, though, it's not as if the school forced them into a relationship. The two started the relationship (hopefully) without any influence from the school.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I'd be pissed at him, not you (but I see what you're getting at).

On the other hand, though, it's not as if the school forced them into a relationship. The two started the relationship (hopefully) without any influence from the school.

Yeah I was trying to emphasize that I vouched for him.
It may be more of a "should have known" than anything else. But it'll come down the the actual case in court.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I can't comment on Texas law, but I could definitely see a possible case against the school for negligent hiring (if the teacher has a history) and failure to protect because of the in loco parentis relationship if that's supported by the law in Texas.

I trust that the lawsuit against both the teacher and the school isn't frivolous. And as to its outcome, I don't really care.

Addressing the negligent hiring of a teacher with a history. In the state of Texas, when a district hires a teacher who previously taught in another district, the previous district can only give evaluations and if they would rehire the teacher or not. They cannot give specific reasons why a teacher resigned or left a district.

In many cases, there have been charges of "innappropriate relationships" where the teacher was allowed to resign in order to keep their teaching certificate. The districts (IMHO wrongly) often do not wish to have an incident end up on the evening news, so they try to settle the issue quietly with the offer to the teacher to resign without any charges. The teacher is then eligible to apply in other districts because they still have a license/certificate.

I taught with a teacher who came to our school after Christmas break. He was certified and had taught the Fall semester in another district. Personally, this set off all kinds of bells and whistles for me. Teachers do not change positions and especially districts in the middle of a school year (exceptions: when the job is a specific promotion or if the teacher has moved because their spouse was transfered). Want to guess how long he taught at our school before some students began making allegations? Want to guess what happened? 1 year. Allowed to resign with no investigation. Went to teach in another school district.

[Ghostwriter]

Don't thisnk this is a new phenomenon. In the '70's we had some sleazy HS teachers who were well known to be bedding some of their students. I went to a pretty rural HS in NC. It was disgusting then as well as now. Our music teacher (she) ended up marrying one of my classmates. The others were just fooling around on their spouses and taking advantage of young naive girls. Pretty gross stuff. I don't believe the laws in NC would have put them in jail but it should have.

I thought of this one. Thanks RU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn0ZJHVH17I

[UofISigKap]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn0ZJHVH17I

Which reminded me of... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XNA9Pri9Nk
for the Glee fans. I have no idea if anything like this went on at my high school when I was there. If it was, I'm pretty sure the news would have spread quickly.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

I don't believe the laws in NC would have put them in jail but it should have.

Depending on what exactly was going on, the laws might well would have put someone in jail had anyone done something about it.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Looks like they are suing for the so called expulsion. Based on your personal experience in your state, can they do that if they have the father signing a form?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Looks like they are suing for the so called expulsion. Based on your personal experience in your state, can they do that if they have the father signing a form?

You can sue for pretty much anything, whether or not they'll win.. no clue

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Looks like they are suing for the so called expulsion. Based on your personal experience in your state, can they do that if they have the father signing a form?

That school is located in the Park Cities (VERY affluent part of Dallas). I doubt that anyone sending his/her child to that school would be duped into signing a document sight unseen.

The family's probably just backpeddling.

(but I'll follow Drolefille's lead and wait for the court case before passing judgement )

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

(but I'll follow Drolefille's lead and wait for the court case before passing judgement )

If I were a betting man, I'd bet on a settlement.