A recent out-of-court settlement did not end the legal battle between the Atlantic Community School District and the parents of several girls who claimed to have been strip-searched in 2009 over missing money.
An open-records case filed over the incident at Atlantic High School has reached the Iowa Court of Appeals, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) saying the case will be argued in court on Thursday.
Atlantic School District Superintendent Michael Amstein says the district’s case is being handled by Brett Nietzche. Amstein says the district will argue that information regarding disciplinary action against school personnel is confidential and should not have to be disclosed.
The ACLU has been trying to find out what discipline, if any, was imposed on former Assistant High School Principal Paul Croghan and former guidance counselor Heather Turpin. The ACLU lost its bid in district court to uncover that information but later appealed. Amstein was not with the Atlantic Community School District when the incident took place and says they’re looking to move on to other matters.
In August 2009, several girls were strip-searched in a locker room at the school after a classmate reported the theft of $100 from her purse. No money was found. The district recently settled a lawsuit filed by families of three of the girls. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic
