Girls Take School to Court, Saying It Ignored Bullying

July 31, 2006 — -- Rachel Weddle has a bald spot from when a bully pulled her hair and punched her in the face at school.

Bethany Buis received letters with death threats and eventually transferred schools.

Nikki Rayborn spent most of her time at school trying to avoid bullies.

Charissa Gosser was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, which involves feelings of depression or anxiety.

Lacy Griffith skipped her high school graduation fearing harassment.

All five girls have filed a joint lawsuit against their former high school in Kentucky, alleging that the Casey County High School administration ignored their reports of constant bullying.

They are suing for unspecified damages.

The suit says that the students, who range in age from 15 to 18, continued to receive physical and emotional bullying from other students after repeatedly notifying teachers, the principal and the superintendent.

The suit also contends that school officials repeatedly told the girls and their parents that nothing could be done by the school to stop bullying.

Brenda Popplewell, one of three lawyers representing the teens, said the school was negligent in its supervision of the students and the bullies.

She has represented several children in abuse cases, but she said that never had a situation been so widespread where adults had dismissed the claims.

"It's more than one child, one horrible situation," she said. "Every child should be able to go to school and feel safe."

According to the lawsuit, the school principal told the students and their parents that there was nothing he could do about the bullying and said one of the girls should just "ride it out."

The lawsuit also says that upon witnessing a physically aggressive act against one of the girls, a teacher responded, "Whew, she's mad at you."

The vice principal reportedly told a parent that her daughter would have to "toughen up."

"He had no way to guarantee our safety," said Lacy, who says she was told by the vice principal that she "got more trouble than most girls" because she was pretty. "If that doesn't make you feel helpless, nothing will."