KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Two lawsuits accusing a former superintendent at a suburban Kansas City school district of sexually preying on female high school students have been settled for a total of $475,000.
The lawsuits were filed in federal court earlier this year and named the Lone Jack School District, which is located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City, and Matthew Tarwater as defendants. Tarwater resigned as superintendent last year. No criminal charges have been filed.
Tom Buchanan, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the first suit, which was filed by a female high school student identified as S.L., was settled for $250,000. He said the second suit, which was filed by a female high school student identified as K.P. and by her mother, was settled for $225,000, KCUR reports.
“Our clients are happy with their financial settlements in the two cases,” Buchanan said. “In addition, they are pleased with policy changes on these and related issues that have been implemented recently by the district.”
Kathy Butler, who replaced Tarwarter as superintendent, denied accusations that district leadership knew of Tarwater’s alleged conduct in a statement that she sent to The Kansas City Star in March. KCUR was unable to reach Lone Jack officials and Tarwater for comment.
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