Pasco Schools Sued After Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Pupil

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Pasco County School Board is facing a new lawsuit over allegations that its former robotics teacher at Ridgewood High School repeatedly sexually assaulted a student on campus during school hours.

The plaintiff, who is not named in the complaint to protect her privacy, alleges that the Pasco County School Board failed in its duty to reasonably supervise the teacher, Sean Gallegos, 43, and the student. Gallegos is currently facing criminal charges for sexual assault.

“All parents hope and trust that school is a safe and nurturing place for their children," said the plaintiff's attorney, Paul Fulmer. "In failing to supervise its students and teachers, as our complaint alleges, the Pasco County School Board shattered that trust and left a young girl vulnerable to ongoing, devastating sexual assault. She will be affected by this for the rest of her life."

While direct blame lies with the teacher, the Feb. 12 complaint contends that the school board is culpable for failing to protect the student.

"As a father myself, I’m outraged that the school seemingly did nothing to prevent the traumatic abuse of a student in their care," Fulmer said. "We must hold the school board accountable for its abject failure to protect its students.”

The complaint is seeking damages in the amount of $15,000.

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Ridgewood Students, Parents Stunned By Arrest Of Robotics Teacher

Ridgewood High Teacher Charged With Having Sex With Student

Just weeks after the Pasco County School District announced it was converting Ridgewood High School into a technical school specializing in robotics, among other programs, the school's robotics teacher was arrested May 2 after being accused of having sex twice with a 16-year-old female student in April 2018.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said the accusation against Gallegos came to light when the 16-year-old student told the school resource officer about the relationship.

Gallegos was charged with two counts of sexual battery by a custodial authority.

Gallegos had been a teacher of the school's award-winning robotics program since August 2015. He no longer teaches school in Pasco County.

Gallegos has a court date scheduled for March 25.

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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