The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has reached a settlement with Osseo Area Schools after finding the district failed to stop an assistant principal from sexually harassing a nine-year-old student during the 2021-22 school year.
Under the agreement, the district will send a written apology to the student, pay her $61,500, hold a listening session with her and her parents, and implement reforms to prevent future harassment. The settlement will be monitored by the Department of Human Rights for the next five years.
The department’s investigation found the assistant principal used his position to harass the student, including inappropriate touching and unwanted attention, despite credible reports from other students, teachers, and the student’s parents. The district took no meaningful action to stop the misconduct, prompting the legal intervention.
“As demonstrated here, when a Minnesota school knows or should have known about discrimination and harassment, and fails to take meaningful action, it not only causes tremendous harm to the student and their family, but it also violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act,” said Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.
The student’s parents said the settlement provides some measure of justice. “What happened was wrong and unjust. School districts should continue to be held accountable when discrimination, harassment, or any misconduct occurs,” they said.
Minnesota law prohibits schools from discriminating against students based on race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The state’s civil rights laws make clear that districts must act to prevent and stop harassment, and that students should not have to seek a safe, discrimination-free education elsewhere.
Osseo Area Schools will also be required to enforce anti-discrimination policies and train staff and leadership to prevent future incidents.
Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination in Minnesota schools can contact the Department of Human Rights through its online reporting form.
