"ANOTHER SCHOOL OFFICIAL  SUSPECTED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT"

Thursday, May 15, 2003

STUDENTS SUE PRINCIPAL, CITE SEXUAL HARASSMENT

   Current and former students of Rhinebeck High School have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the school district and the principal they accuse of sexual harassment.
 

   Four female students claim principal Tom Mawhinney sexually harassed them beginning in 1993, when he became principal. A fourth plaintiff, school attendance clerk Cathy Conley, claims Mawhinney retaliated against her for complaining about his behavior.
 

   The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court May 8, asks for at least $1 million per plaintiff, for "emotional pain and suffering." It also seeks at least $2 million for punitive damages and lawyer fees.
 

   The lawsuit accuses the district of failing to adequately investigate the charges and discipline Mawhinney.
 

   The plaintiffs want federal funding withheld from the district until it complies with federal sexual harassment policies.
 

   District officials recently completed investigating claims that Mawhinney had inappropriate contact with female students and made lewd comments and innuendoes. The board and its lawyer have been reviewing the matter.

The Associated Press

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