Trial News

Doe, 14, was a middle school basketball player. Cyle Kokot, 20, was her coach before he was promoted to a high school coaching position. Kokot allegedly began texting Doe and held one-on-one practice sessions, which led to a sexual relationship between the two. A janitor found Doe and Kokot alone together in a storage room and reported this to a teacher, who, in turn, reported it to the school athletic director. Additionally, several female school employees reported concerns about Kokot’s conduct to district administrators. Kokot denied any wrongdoing. A year later, another child victim reported her abuse to her parents, and Kokot was subsequently arrested and charged with felony sexual assault.

Doe sued the school district, alleging negligent hiring, training, and supervision of Kokot. The defense countered that although Kokot’s alleged conduct was inappropriate, the district had no previous knowledge of it and had provided adequate supervision.

The parties settled for $1.49 million. Under the settlement agreement, the district must train its employees about their mandatory reporter obligations and educate students about appropriate boundaries.

Citation: Doe v. Big Sky Sch. Dist., No. DV-19-244C (Mont. Dist. Ct. Gallatin Cty. Feb. 12, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member J. Devlan Geddes, Bozeman, Mont.

Please set a Datasource.