Parents Sue TESD After Conestoga Aide Sex Abuse Case

BERWYN, PA – The Tredyffrin/Easttown School district is facing another lawsuit, this time related to a Conestoga aide who allegedly sexually assaulted a female student several times. The victim's family is reportedly suing the district, claiming district officials created an atmosphere that allowed improper conduct.

Arthur E. Phillips, 67, of Wayne, was arrested and charged April 21. He faces felony counts of intercourse/sexual contact with a student; felony aggravated indecent assault without consent and with the victim being less than 16;felony corruption of minors with the defendant 18 years old or above; felony criminal use of a communication facility; and related charges, according to court records.

Following his arrest, the parents of the victim want to hold the district and the principal accountable for allegedly creating the opportunity for Phillips to abuse their young daughter.

The federal lawsuit also demands Conestoga High School Principal Amy Meisinger be fired.

"Tredyffrin/Easttown and Conestoga High School have fostered, facilitated, and/or 'turned a blind eye' to an ongoing, widespread and pervasive culture on inappropriate sexual behavior that eventually culminated in sexual assault and rape," the suit claims.

The district's solicitor Kenneth Roos said the district disputes the allegation that Meisinger or district administration were aware of any inappropriate relations between the victim and Phillips before law enforcement was contacted to investigate the allegations against Phillips.

The suit claims "multiple agents and/or employees" of the district and Conestoga were aware of Phillips and the victim's relationship, claiming those agents and/or employees did not take appropriate action to protect the victim from abuse.

Phillips joined the district in 2006 as an aide in the school's TV production studio.

The victim told police she refused sex with Phillips and said he forced her, with all of this happening before she turned 16

Police said hundreds of messages between Phillips and the student were discovered, most sexual in natures with photos included.

Recently, an ousted assistant football coach filed a lawsuit against the district claiming his firing amid a hazing scandal at Conestoga has damaged his reputation and jeopardized potential future employment.

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