A Monroe Township, Middlesex County, student was awarded $500,000 in damages May 18 for having faced unlawful homophobic harassment. The Monroe Township Board of Education was held legally responsible for the damages due to its failure to respond to the harassment, which was in violation of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination.
The plaintiff, identified in court records only by H.M., made allegations of a hostile classroom environment, retaliation for complaining about it, negligence, negligent supervision, negligent training, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In the complaint, H.M. also made claims against three other students, who are identified by J.H., S.H., and A.H., which include assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
An expert witness, produced by H.M., testified that the Board of Education’s response to the harassment was a failure to meet its professional duty, as evidence showed that the school board was aware of the harassment through its duration.
Before decision-making, the jury was charged with a document that outlined all points of law relevant to the trial. The jury unanimously ruled in favor of H.M.
The board moved for a retrial, which was denied by the trial judge, then went to the Appellate Division for an appeal, which too was denied, as the Appellate Division saw no issue with the decisions made by the jury or judge.
The total judgment was $1,397,487.60, which included attorney fees and costs, according to the appellate court’s 16-page opinion.
