Local News

Former student sues White River school district

By The Associated Press | Thursday, November 20, 2008

SIOUX FALLS -- An 18-year-old former White River High School student has filed a lawsuit against the district and its superintendent, contending that the district ignored complaints about a community counselor and didn't train its employees about sexual impropriety.

The former student's federal lawsuit says the counselor was convicted and imprisoned for sexually assaulting her when she was 15.

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The Associated Press has a policy of not naming alleged victims of sexual assault.

The lawsuit says the district and its superintendent, Tom Cameron, knew or should have known the male counselor "had a propensity for inappropriate, sexualized behavior toward students."

Court papers claim the counselor befriended the girl and her family and gained their confidence.

The suit says the girl's mother reported the counselor's behavior to the school district administration and that no action was taken.

The lawsuit asks for unspecified damages -- including punitive damages.

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