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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 20, 2023
Minnesota Department of Human Rights Secures Settlement After School District Failed to Prevent a Teacher from Sexually Assaulting Student
School district to pay $325,000 to student sexually harassed and assaulted by teacher
To prevent future sexual harassment and assault, settlement requires school district to make changes
[St. Paul, MN] The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) today announced a settlement agreement with AFSA K-12 Public Charter School District #4074 in Vadnais Heights after finding a teacher sexually harassed and assaulted E.D., a ninth-grade student. The district was aware of the teacher’s inappropriate interactions and failed to prevent him from ultimately sexually harassing and assaulting the student.
“I am deeply grateful for the courage and strength of this student to bring forward her story of the sexual violence she faced at the hands of her teacher,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “Yet again, we are reminded that we are surrounded by survivors of sexual assault. To truly honor the courage of this student, schools must do everything possible to prevent sexual harassment and assault from occurring. This is not only the right thing to do but it’s also required under the law.”
Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, schools have a legal responsibility to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault.
During the Walz-Flanagan administration, MDHR has settled countless sexual harassment and assault cases involving K-12 schools, universities, and workplaces of all sizes.
“We, as students, are told our whole lives that school staff are the people we’re supposed to go to when we feel unsafe, but there was no safe place, and the result caused significant damage. I didn’t know that I was in a vulnerable position, but they had all the information to know. I wouldn’t wish what happened to me to happen to anyone else,” said E.D. “It is not the victim’s responsibility to make the change, but if the change involves protecting yourself it is absolutely worth demanding something be done. Don’t let anyone intimidate you into thinking the harm that was done was not real.”
The Case
MDHR’s investigation found that in 2019, a teacher at AFSA High School sexually harassed and assaulted E.D., a ninth-grade student.
The principal and multiple teachers – adults responsible for the safety of the student – were aware that the teacher was interacting inappropriately with E.D. but failed to meaningfully intervene. The principal failed to launch an investigation into the teacher’s conduct, speak directly with E.D., inform her parents, and suspend or otherwise discipline the teacher.
Instead, despite knowing of the teacher’s concerning behavior, the principal failed to follow district policies and only told the teacher to stay away from the student. The teacher did not stay away from E.D. and ultimately sexually assaulted her.
In 2020, the teacher was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in Dakota County.
In 2022, MDHR found that AFSA K-12 Public Charter School District #4074 violated Minnesota’s civil rights law for failing to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault.
Settlement Agreement
The settlement agreement requires AFSA K-12 Public Charter School District #4074 to:
- Pay E.D. $325,000.
- Train the school board, executive director, teachers, and volunteers on their role in creating a learning environment that is free from sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination.
- Create a digital system for students, staff, and volunteers to report harassment and discrimination.
- Follow district policies by requiring teachers to report problematic behavior; launching investigations of any reports of harassment, assault, and discrimination; and informing parents of the reported harassment, assault, and discrimination.
- Report any complaints to MDHR in which students, staff, parents, or volunteers are accused of sexual harassment or any other form of discrimination, including any action the district took to investigate the complaints.
MDHR will monitor the school’s compliance with the agreement through the 2028-2029 school year.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, submit this online form or call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is the state’s civil rights enforcement agency and is responsible for enforcing the Minnesota Human Rights Act, one of the strongest state civil rights laws in the country.
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Media Inquires: Taylor Putz, taylor.putz@state.mn.us, 651-226-4615
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