Schools

Students Sue School District, Former Principal For Alleged Sex Abuse

The Gresham-Barlow School District and former Deep Creek Elementary principal Jeff Hays face a $20 million lawsuit from two former students.

DAMASCUS, OR – The Gresham-Barlow School District and a former elementary principal are facing litigation for sexual abuse, according to a report in the Oregonian/OregonLive Monday.

In a suit filed with the Multnomah County Circuit Court April 3, two former students –– now 19 and 16 years old, respectively –– allege they were sexually abused between 2005 and 2009 by former Deep Creek Elementary School principal Jeff Hays. The alleged victims, both female, seek $20 million.

Oregonian reporter Everton Bailey Jr. reported that the students were 7 at the time the alleged abuse began, and that Hays "routinely spent time alone" with the girls in his office.

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Bailey also wrote that Hays was warned by the booster club president not to have kids in his office, and even told Hays he was not allowed to be alone with her child.

Hays left Deep Creek Elementary in 2009 and is currently the principal of the City View Charter School in Hillsboro.

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