Student Sues Houston School District for Allowing Bullying

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(HOUSTON, Texas) — When Jon Doe was a student enrolled with the Humble Independent School District, he became the victim of alleged verbal and physical bullying. Now an adult, Doe is suing the school district due to his current experiences with trauma-related depression and anxiety which negatively altered his future educational and professional career. Because of the privacy issues created by the physical assaults committed, Doe is exercising his right to proceed with this matter anonymously.

The civil lawsuit, filed on Sept. 20, claims that Humble ISD ignored Jon’s request for help violating Title IX, which bars sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding, and deprived him of his rights guaranteed by the 14th amendment.

The plaintiff claims that, with apparent knowledge of Humble ISD, other boys would physically grab and intimately assault him, as well as ridicule, taunt, and make fun of him on a regular basis on school property. Doe reached out to teachers at the school, and his parents met with educators and administrators of the school. 

His parents requested a hearing before the Board of Trustees of Humble ISD, but nothing was done to protect Doe or investigate the allegations, according to the complaint. After attempts to pursue all administrative remedies known to Doe and his parents, the lawsuit claims the school district refused to follow Texas Education Code and the board’s own policy against bullying and failed to protect Jon from the alleged bullying.

“By so blatantly and continuously refusing to follow the referenced Texas Education Code…and its Board’s own policies as to bullying, it is empirically impossible to believe that Jon’s Educational Supervisors were not actually implementing a Board policy to ignore and cover up bullying and the other Injuries suffered by Jon. A simple review of the Board’s executive sessions held as to bullying, targeting, and intimate assault claims can most likely confirm the foregoing.”

In 2019 local news reported more parents coming forward with bullying incidents and claiming the district was not taking action.

Jon is requesting a jury trial and seeking monetary relief from the school district as a result of damages from the alleged bullying.

Responding to a request for comment from The Click, plaintiff’s attorney Terry Gorman wrote,  “In reviewing the case, I see that we are proceeding as John Doe, for privacy reasons. As a result, I regret that I will not be able to talk to you about the case.”

Rogers, Morris, & Grover, LLP,  the law firm representing the school district, could not be reached for comment.