Flint Community Schools settle sexual harassment lawsuit for $60 - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(02/21/13) - Flint Community Schools will pay $600,000 to one of its high school teachers as part of a sexual harassment lawsuit settlement.

The teacher alleges she was forced into a sexual relationship with a now retired principal.

The teacher's attorney, Glen Lenhoff, says this is the largest sexual harassment settlement he's seen in this part of the state.

"The plaintiff was a probationary teacher," Lenhoff said."You're basically at the whim of the principal."

Lenhoff says the former principal, who retired in 2011, forced her into an affair.

"He told her that if she refused, he would fire her," Lenhoff said.

Lenhoff says she eventually ended it, but her boss kept at it.

"He wouldn't leave her alone, after she ended the affair, and she became so distraught over it she attempted to commit suicide," he said.

Lenhoff says they were ready for trial March 12.

"Then it went to case evaluation and both sides accepted the $600,000," Lenhoff said.
 
School Board Member David Davenport does not support the settlement. He says he wanted it to go to trial and believes the evidence would have showed a mutual sexual relationship.

Davenport says insurance covers all but $25,000 of the settlement, which the district will have to pay.

Flint Community Schools released a statement by email saying, "Flint Community Schools is pleased that this matter could be resolved without going to trial."

Lenhoff says the teacher remains on leave because of her suicide attempt, but remains employed with the district as a special education teacher.

The former principal was not sued individually.