A Plano woman is suing a private school along with its principal and a former teacher alleging the educator sexually \u201cgroomed\u201d her young daughter as well as another student.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit against Great Lakes Academy, a Plano private school with a focus on students with learning differences, alleges the two minor students were victims of grooming by a teacher who\u2019s now in jail. The mother brought the suit on behalf of her child late last month; the second student was added to the suit days later.<\/p>\n
Ty Stimpson, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said the school and its principal allowed grooming behavior for years. The ex-teacher, Jacob Allred, was sentenced last year to20 years for two counts of sexual performance of a child and improper relationship between educator and student.<\/p>\n
While Allred was a teacher there, Stimpson said the academy \u201cfailed the students.” He said they didn\u2019t properly supervise or maintain a safe environment. The mother learned that the school principal knew that Allred had made sexual advances on students but didn\u2019t “terminate Allred for such predatory behaviors,\u201d according to the lawsuit<\/p>\n
School students were \u201csusceptible to his grooming and his tactics,\u201d Stimpson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, these are vulnerable kids,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The suit seeks at least $1,000,000 in compensation.<\/p>\n
Defendants have 30 days to file a response.<\/p>\n
In a statement, a spokesperson for Great Lakes Academy said \u201cthe safety and well-being of our students is paramount. Our role\u2026is to foster a safe, positive and nurturing environment where children can learn.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we strongly disagree with the characterization of events outlined in the filing, we will navigate this process with the dignity, sensitivity, and respect it deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lawsuit comes amid a spate of accusations against teachers across North Texas.<\/p>\n
Last week, news reports said<\/a> a Garland ISD high school\u00a0 staffer was placed on leave after being arrested for indecency with a child. The district said the child wasn\u2019t a Garland ISD student. The incident is under investigation.<\/p>\n On Friday, the Celina Police Department announced it had arrested a teacher <\/a>in the school district for invasive visual recording.<\/p>\n And a former Southlake substitute teacher, Jennifer Powers, was released recently from federal custody accused of sex trafficking women for a New York financier\u2019s so-called \u201csex dungeon.\u201d Powers substitute taught at Carroll ISD but was dismissed, according to the district.<\/p>\n Bill Zeeble is KERA\u2019s education reporter. Got a tip? Email Bill at bzeeble@kera.org<\/a>. You can follow him on X @bzeeble<\/a>.<\/p>\n KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today<\/a>. Thank you.<\/p>\n