Hartford Schools Face Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged Bullying

A federal lawsuit is pending against Hartford Public Schools over bullying. The suit accuses Hartford Middle School Principal Joel Passenger, Superintendent Andrew Hubbard, Hartford High School Principal David Janicki and other staff members of being aware of the bullying of a 14-year-old girl in the 8th grade, but not doing anything to stop it. The girl’s mother has filed the legal paperwork, including specific times where a male student threatened and harassed the girl and alleging he has a history of assaultive, threatening and intimidating behavior toward other female students and staff members. A criminal investigation is ongoing, and the bullying victim has not been in class for several weeks. The lawsuit accuses Passenger of telling the girl’s mother that the bullying was “nothing to worry about” and “very vague.” The parent is demanding the district pay for a consultant to investigate the alleged bully and the threat he poses to the victim and others along with seeking damages and the adoption of new policies that don’t violate the U.S. Constitution and Title IX.