Raymore-Peculiar school officials respond to sexual assault allegations

Officials with the Raymore-Peculiar School District said Thursday that sexual assault allegations raised in lawsuits filed Wednesday were reported to state and federal officials at the time.

The federal lawsuits say two female students at Raymore-Peculiar High School were sexually assaulted by the same male student in separate incidents. The lawsuits accused the district of negligence.

District officials said Thursday that the last incident occurred a year ago and the male student has not attended the school since then.

“Both incidents were addressed at the time they were raised in a manner consistent with district policies and procedures,” the district said in a statement.

The district said the incidents were reported to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last summer.

“Following their administrative review, no findings have been issued against the district,” the statement said. “The district takes the safety and security of our schools very seriously and provides annual training for staff in order to ensure a continuing, safe environment that is conducive to learning.”

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 3:00 PM.