Walpole HS Didn't Protect Teen From Vicious Bullying: Lawsuit

WALPOLE, MA — The Walpole Public Schools face a federal lawsuit alleging that they did not take the proper steps to protect a 15-year-old student from bullying.

Paperwork was filed in U.S. District Court in Boston Tuesday by the victim, identified as Jane Doe. Her lawsuit claims that she was subjected to harassment and bullying in and out of school by a group of classmates and that the school did nothing to protect her. The Town of Walpole, Walpole Public Schools, Superintendent Lincoln Lynch, Walpole High School Principal Stephen Imbusch and Walpole High School Assistant Principal Lee Tobey have been named defendants in the lawsuit.

According to the suit, the victim became the subject of harassment by a group of teenage girls when she was a freshman at Walpole High School last school year. The group allegedly called her a b***h in the hallway and told her to kill herself. The victim also received messages out of school, including several messages on Instagram on March 22, the suit says.

Comments cited in the suit include, “She opens her legs to anyone and (redacted),” “She wouldn’t be missed by anyone,” “d**e a** b****,” “burn her alive,” and “KILL YOURSelf.”

The victim showed the messages to Resource Officer Tim Songin, who told her the messages were "girls being girls," the suit claims. Tobey also saw the messages but said there was nothing he could do beyond asking the bullies to write letters of apology, the suit says.

The victim's troubles became publicly known after a WFXT report that detailed a June 1 assault. The assault, caught on camera, showed one of the girls punch and kick the victim several times after gym class. The alleged assailant, also a 15-year-old girl, has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Police have also issued a restraining order.

The mother of the victim claims that she contacted the office of Superintendent Lincoln Lynch several times after the June 1 assault but never heard back. The superintendent's first public words on the incident came during a heated June school committee meeting where he stated that safety is the school district's number one priority.

In a joint-statement, Walpole School Committee chairperson and vice chairperson William Buckley, Jr and Jennifer Geosits stated:

It has come to our attention that litigation was recently initiated against the School District. We want to express my support for Superintendent Lynch, Principal Imbusch, and the High School Administration. Superintendent Lynch and Principal Imbusch are lifelong educators who care deeply about the students of our schools. They, and the High School Administration, acted appropriately as well as pursuant to District policies, throughout the matter which is the subject of the litigation. There will be no further comment while the litigation is ongoing.

Lynch also said he would not comment on pending litigation.

No court date has been set, according to the court records.

Below is the full complaint:

Walpole HS Bullying Lawsuit by DanLibon on Scribd

Image via Google Maps