Family Sues Simsbury Schools Alleging Son, 14, Was Bullied And Beaten

SIMSBURY, CT — A Simsbury family has filed a lawsuit against the Simsbury Board of Education and the Town of Simsbury, alleging negligence after their 14-year-old son was allegedly bullied and assaulted at school.

The complaint, filed in Connecticut Superior Court for the Judicial District of Hartford with a return date of Nov. 25, 2025, was filed by the male student's father.

It is currently winding its way through the courts as both sides continue to address the lawsuit.

Patch has opted not to publish the plaintiff's name so as not to identify the alleged victim.

According to the lawsuit, the boy was a student at Henry James Memorial School from September 2023 through May 16, 2024.

The complaint alleges that for some time before May 16, 2024, a classmate repeatedly directed racial slurs and derogatory comments at the boy during school hours.

The lawsuit states the name-calling was ongoing and included comments telling him to “go back to where he came from” and “go back to his country.”

On May 16, 2024, during a music composition class taught by a substitute teacher, the classmate allegedly escalated from verbal harassment to throwing objects at the boy inside the classroom.

The complaint alleges the substitute teacher did not report the incident, contact school administrators or a school climate specialist, or remove the other student from the classroom.

Instead, the lawsuit claims the victim was directed to sit in the hallway for the remainder of the class period, where the classmate and others continued throwing objects at him.

After the class ended, the complaint alleges the classmate and another student caught up to the victim in the hallway and physically attacked him.

The lawsuit claims the victim suffered a fractured jaw, concussion, cervical injury, headaches, post-concussion symptoms, severe emotional distress, and other physical and mental pain and suffering.

It also alleges he has been unable to participate in his usual activities and has incurred medical expenses.

The family alleges the Simsbury Board of Education and the town were negligent in failing to properly supervise students, enforce bullying prevention policies, train staff, and protect the minor from imminent harm.

Written notice of the claim was provided to both defendants back on Aug. 7, 2024, according to the complaint.

The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages in excess of $15,000, along with other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

On Jan. 29, the Simsbury Board of Education requested more time from the court to respond to the suit.

On Feb. 11, online court records indicated Simsbury attorneys sought some changes within the complaint itself.

Simsbury Superintendent of Schools Matthew T. Curtis released the following statement to Patch on the lawsuit:

"The Simsbury Board of Education administration and staff take seriously its responsibility to promote positive culture and climate throughout the district. I can assure you that protecting students from bullying and harassment is a priority of the school board, district administration, and staff.

"Any report of alleged bullying, harassment, or discrimination is handled with the utmost concern and attention. To that end, we do investigate reports of bullying, harassment, and discrimination in a timely fashion and follow policy as it relates to each occurrence. Due to pending litigation, I cannot provide any further comment on this issue.

"We trust the legal process will fairly address the issue raised."