Higgins

FACTS

The series of events giving rise to this lawsuit began when plaintiff was a junior at St. Margaret’s, a private school with a total of approximately 1,200 students in early childhood classes through 12th grade. Two female students at the school complained about plaintiff to Jamie Bunch, the then dean of female students. One said plaintiff purposefully “nudged her breast,” laughing when she told him to stop, and made derogatory comments about African-Americans. The other claimed he used inappropriate slurs towards homosexuals. Responding to these complaints, the assistant principal in charge of 9th through 12th grade students, James Harris, and other school administrators met with plaintiff. Plaintiff denied involvement in the incidents, but said he was “‘touchy’” and believed others may misinterpret his actions. Harris advised him to change his behavior, not share details of the meeting with others, not attempt to discern who made the complaints, and not engage in any retaliation. Plaintiff agreed. A day later, Bunch spoke to plaintiff when he came into her classroom asking for details about the complainants. He told her “he knew he was ‘handsy’ but not in a ‘bad way.’” She…