A student at an alternative high school in Denver filed notice that he intends to sue Denver Public Schools for $150,000 over what he claims was an attempted sexual assault by a principal.
The student at Contemporary Learning Academy accuses principal Dave Debus, 47, of several incidents of sexually inappropriate touching on school grounds during the second week of November.
The student is not being named because he is a possible victim of sexual assault.
Debus resigned from the district last month and could not be reached for comment.
District officials confirmed that an investigation was conducted on an administrator at the school, but officials would not name the person, citing privacy laws.
Denver police officials say they have an active investigation into Debus but no charges have been filed. The nature of the investigation was not disclosed.
The claim, which was sent to the district in December, alleges the incident included “touching of the back, shoulders, legs and the running of Mr. Debus’ hands up and down (the student’s) body.”
Further, the student alleges Debus “flirted” with him and asked the student to meet him off-campus and also asked him to attend “special detention” on an in-service day at the school, during which the facility was closed to other students.
DPS has 90 days to respond to the notice. District officials declined to comment on the matter.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
