The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) says Osseo Area Schools failed to protect a 9-year-old girl from sexual harassment by an assistant principal — even after parents, teachers, and students reported concerns.
The district will pay the former student $61,500, issue a written apology, and hold a listening session with her family as part of a settlement announced Tuesday.
State investigation finds repeated warnings were ignored
According to MDHR’s investigation detailed in a press release, the assistant principal used his position “as a school leader and an adult” to sexually harass the child during the 2021–22 school year. He told the fourth grader he “could not stop looking at her,” went out of his way to interact with her, and inappropriately touched her.
State investigators concluded the district knew or should have known about the behavior but failed to act. The student’s parents eventually pulled her from the school.
The student’s parents called the outcome “some form of justice,” saying, “What happened was wrong and unjust. School districts should continue to be held accountable when discrimination, harassment, or any misconduct occurs.”
Beyond financial restitution and a written apology, Osseo Area Schools must now implement new safeguards, including mandatory staff training on anti-discrimination and harassment policies, annual policy reviews to ensure compliance, and Department of Human Rights monitoring for the next five years.
District responds
Osseo Area Schools responded to an Alpha News inquiry, confirming that “there were no criminal charges in this case.”
A district spokesperson said the staff member involved “has not been an employee with Osseo Area Schools since 2022.”
The district also said the inappropriate touching cited in the investigation involved the staff member resting “his head on minor’s shoulder.”
“As always, our foremost priority is a safe and welcoming learning environment for all our students,” the district said in an email. “Since this case in 2021-22, staff trainings and student education have substantially increased. Additionally, our schools have encouraged students, parents/caregivers and staff to reach out with any concerns.”
Another Osseo teacher charged with sexual misconduct
In June, Osseo Area Schools teacher Wayne Wallace pled guilty to four counts of criminal sexual conduct after multiple elementary students accused him of inappropriate touching during the 2022-23 school year.
According to the criminal complaint, Wallace — a fifth-grade teacher at Basswood Elementary in Maple Grove — touched several girls on the buttocks, thighs, waist, and shoulders.
One victim said he spanked her “multiple times.” Another said he touched her buttocks during a classroom science demonstration on static electricity. Others described being lifted into the air, sitting on his lap, or being asked for kisses “in exchange for candy.”
Investigators learned the district had previously issued two verbal warnings to Wallace for inappropriate touching of female students
According to court records, Wallace was sentenced to 60 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse and two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to complete a sex-offender treatment program and barred from working in any school setting involving minors.
Osseo schools elementary teacher recently held a same-sex romance discussion
Last week, Alpha News reported about an Oak View Elementary third-grade teacher who led a “hot topics” discussion that included reading a story about two princes who fall in love and defining the word “gay” for her eight- and nine-year-old students.
In response to that story, district officials said the conversation “wasn’t a planned lesson.”
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
