Minn. district settles suits on neutrality policy

Minn. district settles suits on neutrality policy

COON RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s largest school district is settling two federal lawsuits over a policy that was criticized for failing to protect students from bullying.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board signed off on the settlement tonight. The district agreed to retain a consultant and to develop and implement a plan to prevent and address sex-based harassment at its middle and high schools.

The agreement will be in effect for five years. The district’s insurance carrier will pay the students a total of $270,000.

Six current or former students sued last summer over the policy. It required staff to remain neutral when the subject of sexual orientation came up in the classroom. The policy was replaced last month with one that calls for teachers to foster a respectful learning environment for all students.