Doe ex rel. Doe v. Warren Consolidated Schools (307 F. Supp. 2d 860, 2003)

ORDER

BORMAN, District Judge.

COUNT I: GRANTING DEFENDANTS WARREN CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS, DR. JAMES CLOR, DR. PAUL STAMATAKIS AND JERRY MAIORANO’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO COUNT I — GROSS NEGLIGENCE/INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT; COUNT II: DENYING DEFENDANTS WARREN CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS, DR. JAMES CLOR, DR. PAUL STAMATAKIS AND JERRY MAIORANO’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO COUNT II — 42 U.S.C. § 1983; COUNT III:(1) GRANTING DEFENDANTS DR. JAMES CLOR, DR. PAUL STAMA-TAKIS AND JERRY MAIORANO’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO COUNT III — TITLE IX; AND (2) DENYING DEFENDANT WARREN CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO COUNT III — TITLE IX

Now before the Court is (1) Defendants Warren Consolidated Schools, Dr. James Clor and Jerry Maiorano’s motion for summary judgment and (2) Defendant Dr. Paul Stamatakis’ motion for summary judgment. Plaintiffs’ complaint sets forth three counts: Count I: gross negligence and intentional misconduct; Count II: 42 U.S.C. § 1983 — violation of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; and Count III: Title IX sexual harassment. Plaintiffs’ complaint alleges that they suffered injuries as a result of being sexually molested by an elementary school teacher, Defendant James Kearly, while they were students at Siersma Elementary School in Warren, Michigan.

The Court heard oral argument on January 31, 2003. Having considered the entire record, and for the reasons that follow, the Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART the motions for summary judgment. Specifically, the Court

(1) GRANTS the Defendants’ motions for summary judgment as to Count I;

(2) DENIES the Defendants’ motions for summary judgment as to Count II;

(3) GRANTS Defendants Stamatakis, Clor and Maiorano’s motion for summary judgment as to Count III; and

(4) DENIES Defendant Warren Consolidated Schools’ motion for summary judgment as to Count III.

FACTS

Plaintiffs, three young girls, were sexually molested by Defendant James Kearly in 1998 while students at Siersma Elementary School in Warren, Michigan. Defendant Kearly has pled nolo contendere to charges of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct related to the instant case, and is currently listed on the state of Michigan’s Public Sex Offender Registry — see www.mipsor.state.mi.us. Defendant Kearly is not a party to the motions for summary judgment currently before the Court.

Plaintiffs’ complaint, filed on June 30, 2000, sets forth three counts — Count I: Michigan gross negligence and intentional misconduct; Count II: Federal 42 U.S.C. § 1983 — violation of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; and Count III: Federal Title IX sexual harassment. In addition to Defendant Kearly, Plaintiffs seek relief from the Warren Consolidated School District (“District”), Dr. Paul Sta-matakis (“Stamatakis”), former Superintendent of the Warren Consolidated Schools, Dr. James Clor (“Clor”), current Superintendent of the Warren Consolidated Schools and former Associate Superintendent in charge of elementary education, and Jerry Maiorano (“Maiorano”), Principal at Siersma Elementary School. The Court must determine whether genuine issues of material fact exist with respect to whether the Warren Consolidated School District and Defendants Stamatakis, Clor and Maiorano are liable under the legal theories set forth in Plaintiffs’ complaint.

Defendant Kearly began employment with the Warren Consolidated School District in 1966 as a physical education teacher at Pennow Elementary School. Kearly’s official personnel file contains no reported incidents of misconduct until 1984. In 1984, numerous allegations of improper conduct, both sexual and nonsexual, began to surface against Kearly. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

In 1984, a complaint was lodged against Kearly by a male student alleging that Kearly grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into a locker. The allegation was confirmed, in part, by one of Kearly’s gym aides; Kearly received a verbal reprimand. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 548.)

In 1985, Kearly was transferred to Flynn Middle School (“Flynn”). Allegations of improper sexual misconduct began surfacing almost immediately. On October 8, 1985, a female student alleged that Kearly looked down the front of her (as well as another female student’s) top during class. No action was taken against Kearly. The assistant principal discounted the student’s allegation, notwithstanding that more than one student made such an observation, because the student’s accusation came after being disciplined by Kearly. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 494.)

On November 3, 1986, Flynn Principal Moy and Assistant Principal Weinberg met with Kearly to discuss numerous allegations/rumors of improper conduct, including, but not limited to: (1) having girls around his desk; (2) looking down female students’ dresses; (3) keeping girls after class; and (4) teasing students and making improper comments such as “because you were over last night.” (District’s Br. Exh, A, document 440.) Kearly allegedly received another verbal warning. (District’s Br. at 1.)

In 1986 or 1987, Kearly began sexually harassing a nineteen year-old former student, Tracy Stack, who was employed by the District as an assistant volleyball coach at Warren High — Kearly was the varsity volleyball coach. Kearly made inappropriate sexual comments to Ms. Stack, kissed her while conducting “meetings” at local bars, bought her alcoholic beverages, called her at. home, and told her he could provide her with a furnished apartment. (Pl.’s Resp; Br. Exh. 3, documents 597-99, 611; Pl.’s Resp. Br. Exh. 14.) A deal was brokered by the District in which Ms. Stack, in order to keep her job, agreed not to file formal sexual harassment charges. {Id.) Plaintiff received a “strong” reprimand for exercising “extremely poor judgment,” from Lawrence Beckett, Associate Superintendent for Personnel/Employee Relations. The reprimand noted that “[t]his poor judgment on your part could have led to a formal sexual harassment charge against you and the school district.” (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 522.)

In January, 1988, Flynn Principal Moy discussed several issues with Kearly, including an incident in which a female student slapped him after he touched her buttocks. Moy noted that students were “talking” and that he could lose it all. Apparently, no discipline was taken against Nearly. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 446.)

On October 5, 1989, Flynn Assistant Principal Chuck Kluka met with Nearly to discuss a parent’s concern that her daughter would be placed in Nearly’s class. Specifically, the parent heard rumors that Nearly “puts girls with large boobs in [the] front row” and “drops pen[s] to look up dress[es].” It is unclear what, if anything, transpired as a result of this concern.

In January 1990, a crisis team met with a Flynn student, LW, after she wrote a letter signed “your death wish friend.” In October, 1990, Principal Moy and others met after LW exhibited renewed depression. It was at this time that Principal Moy learned that LW’s depressed state resulted, in part, from Defendant Nearly’s teasing and inappropriate touching (touching LW on the buttocks). (District’s Br. Exh. A, documents 495, 2085.) Several students were interviewed by school officials in response to this allegation. In addition to confirming LW’s allegations of mistreatment, teasing and inappropriate contact (including touching her buttocks), (District’s Br. Exh. A, documents, 418, 420-25), the eleven students also gave consistent accounts of highly inappropriate behavior by Defendant Nearly. This included conduct such as (1) picking girls as class favorites and asking them to sit by him during movies; (2) touching, hugging and tickling girls, including touching or pretending to touch their buttocks; (3) teasing students; (4) stating “smile if you love me”; and (5) pretending to spit on students. (District’s Br. Exh. A, documents 416-27.)

Despite these assertions, Principal Moy, on November 5, 1990, sent a letter to Nearly, stating that Nearly would not be reprimanded for this misconduct. Instead, Moy issued a “letter of direct order,” directing Nearly to refrain from physical contact with students, to refrain from teasing and other negative comments, and to refrain from showing favoritism. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1599.) On December 17, 1990, the school made a report of abuse to the Michigan Department of Social Services regarding the LW matter. Defendant Nearly was not mentioned in this report. Instead, the District listed LW’s mother as the alleged perpetrator of the abuse. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 497.)

The Sterling Heights Police Department commenced a criminal investigation into LW’s accusations against Nearly, and criminal assault & battery charges were brought against him. (District’s Br. Exh. A, documents 463, 520.) The District suspended Nearly with pay on May 1, 1991, stating that “[i]t would ‘appear’ that the prosecutor’s office has information that we do not have.” (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 502.) On December 10, 1991, Nearly was acquitted of the assault and battery charges. According to Thomas Dettloff, lead police investigator on the Nearly case, the Warren Consolidated School District was only “minimally cooperative” in the investigation. (Dettloff Affidavit ¶ 8.) Specifically, the District allegedly failed to produce numerous documents, including the names and/or interview notes of the students interviewed as part of the District’s internal investigation into LW’s accusations. (Id.) Dettloff indicated that the information would have substantially strengthened the case against Nearly. (Id. ¶ 9.)

On December 13, 1991, after Kearly was acquitted, Mr. Beckett, Associate Superintendent of Personnel/Employee Relations wrote a letter to Kearly expressing “relief’ at the verdict. The letter indicated that Kearly would be permitted to return to work on January 6, 1992, and that all reference to the suspension would be expunged from his personnel file. In addition, the District agreed that Kearly’s 95-day suspension would now be referenced in his personnel file as a 95-day “conference leave of absence.” (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1304.)

On September 9, 1993, school officials were again notified of improper conduct by Kearly. This time, a female student’s mother notified the school that her daughter was pretending to be sick because she did not want to return to Kearly’s classroom. Once again, the cause of the incident was improper touching by Kearly. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 505.) On September 28, 1993, Kearly received a written reprimand from Assistant Superintendent Beckett. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1325.) The letter stated, in relevant part:

I have had ample time to review these facts and to review your history and I am convinced that this reprimand is in order. I am convinced that in spite of Mr. Moy’s alerts to you, the written student statements which I shared with you in 1990, your training as a teacher for effective classroom management, and the fact that it is common knowledge that middle school females need certain “spacing” from males, you have been unable to maintain a proper student-teacher decorum and distance. I direct you to consider why this is and to seek counseling through the Employee Assistant Center or some other acceptable alternative.

This is important! Any further inappropriate behaviors on your part, especially with female students, will result with more severe disciplinary action up to and including recommendation for the filing of tenure charges.

(Id.) (emphasis in original).

The District did not follow through on this threat. After Kearly grieved the reprimand though his union, Assistant Superintendent Beckett, just as he had with respect to LW, expunged the reprimand from Kearly’s personnel file even though he believed the reprimand was, in fact, issued for just cause. Beckett did so because the student was now comfortable in Kearly’s class and the student’s mother “express[ed] satisfaction with the way things are going now.” (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 627.)

In 1994, Kearly was transferred to Beer Middle School. On May 19, 1995, Kearly submitted a transfer request, seeking to fill a job posting for a elementary school physical education position. Kearly’s reason for seeking the transfer was to return “back to [my] original position.” (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 197.) It was the ultimate approval of this transfer that put Kearly in a physical position to sexually assault the three plaintiffs in this case.

Kearly, however, did not immediately receive approval for the transfer. Article XI of the collective bargaining agreement entered into between the District and the Warren Education Association (“WEA”) provided: “In the event a receiving building principal does not wish to accept an applicant for transfer, s/he will provide the reasons in writing, if requested to do so.” (Pl.’s Resp. Br. Exh. 11.) Because the elementary position involved work at multiple schools (multiple principals), Mike Michalowski, District Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, wrote to Sharon Hughes, Director of Personnel, opposing Kearly’s transfer request, invoking Article XI of the CBA. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 623.) As such, the transfer was initially denied by the District on June 15,1995.

On June 22, 1995, the WEA filed a grievance on behalf of Defendant Kearly. The WEA argued that Kearly should have been awarded the elementary physical education instructor position because he was the bidder with the most seniority. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1226.)

On July 20, 1995, Sharon Hughes sent a memorandum to Defendant Superintendent Stamatakis, “strongly urg[ing]” him to uphold the denial of the transfer. Ms. Hughes included items from Kearly’s file and noted: “We have a responsibility to the welfare of our students as well as district liability.” The letter concluded:

Mr. Kearly’s incidents are severe enough and recent enough to warrant concern. I strongly urge that you support administration’s decision to deny his transfer to elementary physical education.

(District’s Br. Exh. A, document 516.)

Stamatakis, however, overruled the administration’s decision to deny Kearly’s transfer request. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 633.) In making this decision, Stamatakis “did an end around” the normal chain of command, ignoring Roger Allen, the Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, who would have vehemently argued against the transfer. (Allen Dep. at 124-28.) According to Stama-takis, he made this decision because he did not feel the information contained in Kearly’s personnel file supported tenure charges. The District had removed the allegations with respect to LW, as well as many of the other allegations of improper touching and other conduct described above. (Stamatakis Dep. at 73, 115-16, 147-48, 150, 157, 161-63, 166.) According to Stamatakis, he made the best decision based upon the information available in Kearly’s official personnel file — the information in his personnel file allegedly did not provide enough evidence to initiate tenure charges. (Stamatakis Dep. at 47-49, 68, 72, 95.) Thus, Stamatakis concluded that because he could not successfully terminate Kearly’s employment with the District, he was obligated to overrule the decision denying Kearly’s transfer request.

Stamatakis claims that if all of the information regarding Kearly’s prior conduct had been maintained in Kearly’s official personnel file, he may have made a different decision regarding the transfer. (Sta-matakis Dep. at 158-60.) Mr. Stamatakis also acknowledges that as a general rule, if there is a concern that a teacher could be harming students, it is imperative that the district err on the side of caution and protect the students, even if it means breaking a contract. (Stamatakis Dep. at 58.) Finally, although Stamatakis admits that younger students are more vulnerable to teachers, like Kearly, who may be sexual predators, Stamatakis felt that a transfer might be appropriate because he would be taken out of a setting in which there were older, more developed girls that Kearly might be attracted to. (Stamatakis Dep. at 93-95.)

Stamatakis’ (as well as Clor’s, see infra) claim of ignorance is in direct conflict with the deposition testimony of Marsha Pando, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources. According to Ms. Pando, meetings were conducted by Dr. Stamatakis prior to his approval of Kearly’s transfer request — Dr. Clor and Mr. Michalowski attended these meetings. (Pando Dep. at 75-76, 114.) Sharon Hughes, Director of Personnel, presented material concerning allegations made against Kearly that were no longer contained in Kearly’s personnel file, and voiced her concern at the meetings that Kearly should not be placed with elementary school students who would be unable to protect themselves from a sexual predator. (Pando Dep. at 77-78, 84.) Stamatakis, presented with this information, allegedly called Kearly a “scumbag.” (Hughes Dep. at 247-48.) Further, during the discussions, Pando had the impression that Dr. Clor was vouching for Nearly. (Pando Dep. at 104.) After Stamatakis make the decision to allow the transfer, (Pando Dep. at 87 — “the ultimate decision ... would have been made by the superintendent”), it was communicated that Nearly would not be allowed to have student aides. (Pando Dep. at 81, 111— 12,113,132.)

On October 27, 1995, shortly after Nearly’s transfer was approved, the District expunged Nearl/s personnel file of numerous other references to prior allegations of improper conduct and behavior. This in-eluded items discussed supra, such as Principal Moy’s November 5,1990 letter of direct order, numerous documents and notes related to the Sterling Heights Police Department’s criminal investigation of Nearly, Assistant Superintendent Beckett’s September 28, 1993 written reprimand of Nearly, the aforementioned letters drafted by Hughes and Michalowski opposing Nearly’s transfer, and Ms. Hughes’ July 20,1995 letter to Superintendent Stamatakis. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 594-95.)

Notwithstanding the District’s approval of the transfer and subsequent purging of Kearly’s personnel file, Stamatakis claims that he put Defendant Clor in charge of making sure that Kearly would be closely supervised at the elementary school level. (Stamatakis Dep. at 82-83, 91,171.) Additionally, as previously discussed, Kearly was directed that he was not to use student assistants. (Stamatakis Dep. at 122.)

According to Defendant Clor (contrary to the testimony of Ms. Pando, supra), he was summoned, for unknown reasons, to a meeting with Defendant Stamatakis and others, and informed that he would provide supervision over Kearly. (Clor Dep. at 20, 22.) According to Clor, he was not told that Kearly was prohibited from using students aides; the only condition that Clor claims he was aware of was that Kearly was to be evaluated on an annual basis, forever. (Clor Dep. at 35, 122.) Moreover, because Clor was in charge of elementary educational issues as opposed to personnel issues, (Clor Dep. at 19-20), Clor claims that he knew nothing of Kearly’s past misconduct other than a vague understanding that Kearly had been acquitted of an unspecified criminal charge. (Clor Dep. at 23-24.)

After the transfer, Kearly was assigned to work at several elementary schools, including Harwood Elementary School, and Siersma Elementary School where the Plaintiffs in this case were sexually assaulted. Defendant Jerry Maiorano was the principal at Siersma Elementary School, and thus was in charge of the day-to-day oversight of Kearly. (Maiorano Dep. at 11, 83.)

Kearly and Maiorano had been close friends since they began teaching together in Warren, in 1968, at Frost Elementary School. They maintained a social relationship and remained close friends until at least the early 1990’s-Maiorano described the relationship as a thirty-year friendship. (Maiorano Dep. at 32-36, 39; Pando Dep. at 139.) Indeed, Maiorano and Kearly were drinking buddies, and Maiorano was the godfather to one of Kearly’s children. (Maiorano Dep. at 59-61; Hughes Dep. at 68.)

Despite this very close relationship, Maiorano claims virtual ignorance with respect to Kearly’s past instances of improper conduct. Maiorano claims that he was not even aware of the specifies of Kearly’s first criminal trial — he was aware of talk, allegations, rumors and innuendo that Kearly was involved in criminal sexual conduct with a student and other improper activity — Maiorano, however, chose not to believe any of the speculation because he and Kearly had been longtime friends. (Maiorano Dep. at 34-40, 99.) Maiorano contends that the District did not inform him of Kearly’s documented history of past misconduct. (Maiorano Dep. at 54, 56, 75, 84-85, 93, 96.) Maiorano acknowledges, however, that he was informed during the 1997-1998 school year that Kearly was not allowed to use older students to assist him in working with younger students. (Maiorano Dep. at 80; Pando Dep. at 133— 34, 183.) Maiorano was aware that Kearly was under an imposed requirement of an out-of-cycle evaluation. (Maiorano Dep. at 56.) Indeed, Maiorano testified that he was requested to do an out-of-cycle evaluation on Kearly before the instant molestation took place. (Id. at 76.)

On January 31, 1996, a new allegation of improper conduct surfaced. A male student at Harwood Elementary School reported that Kearly made fun of him and “grabbed his own crotch” in front of the class. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1084.) When Mr. Faulman, Harwood Elementary School’s Principal, confronted Kearly, he observed four fifth grade girls hugging Kearly; one of them stated “I love you and I want to marry you.” (Id.) Kearly was instructed to refrain from touching female students. (Id.)

On February 7, 1996, Principal Faulman witnessed fifth grade girls leaving a multipurpose room at the school. When questioned, the girls indicated that they were helping Mr. Kearly. Defendant Clor, who happened to be at the Harwood Elementary School on this date, observed Kearly’s interaction with the young girls. (Clor Dep. at 13-14.) In fact, Marsha Pando, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, claims that Clor indicated that he witnessed Kearly kissing one of the girls on the lips. (Pando Dep. at 127-28, 143.) Clor contends that such an allegation is a “blatant lie,” and no mention of Kearly kissing one of the girls appears in Faul-man’s memorandum regarding the incident. (Clor Dep. at 76; District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1083.) Faulman does, however, document Kearly’s use of five fifth grade student assistants in his kindergarten classes. (Id.)

On February 20, 1996, Personnel Director Hughes wrote, once again, to Superintendent Stamatakis expressing “grave concern” over Kearly’s contact with young girls. Her letter states:

This is to clarify my comments made regarding Mr. Kearly, Elementary Physical Education teacher at Harwood, as reported to me by the principal, Mr. Faulman.

During my meeting with you on Thursday, February 8, 1996 in your office, I stated that due to statements I had heard from district staff, I called Mr. Faulman on the morning of February 8, 1996 and asked how Mr. Kearly was doing.

Mr. Faulman reported that he had had complaints from three boys regarding unfair treatment and that the girls were receiving special treatment not afforded to the boys. At the end of January, he had a complaint from the father of a fourth grade boy. In this particular instance, his son wanted to go to the bathroom. Mr. Kearly denied permission and grabbed his own crotch in front of the students to demonstrate that the boy could hold it.

While Mr. Faulman was in the hall with Mr. Kearly, four fifth grade girls approached Mr. Kearly and hugged him. One of them reportedly said to Mr. Kearly, “I love you. I want to marry you.” Mr. Faulman directed Mr. Kearly to cease and desist, not to talk to girls and that he must tell the girls to stop this behavior.

It came to Mr. Faulman’s attention that Mr. Kearly had been getting five fifth grade girls released from their classroom for a month to “help him with the Kindergarten children.” Mr. Faulman directed Mr. Kearly, “You will not use fifth grade girls for anything.”

According to Mr. Faulman, three more parents were coming in to complain on February 9, the day following my phone call. He indicated that one memo had been sent to Dr. Clor and another would probably follow.

It is again with grave concern that I have approached you on this matter of Mr. Kearly and elementary girls. The safety and welfare of our students is our most important charge. Since I have not heard from you, this is to clarify that it is my expectation that you will either conduct or direct whatever investigation or procedures you believe to be appropriate in this matter.

(District’s Br. Exh. A, document 515) (emphasis added). On February 28, 1996, Defendant Stamatakis responded by (1) notifying Ms. Hughes that Clor was directed to investigate the matter; and (2) chastising Ms. Hughes for not first expressing her concern to Roger Allen. (District’s Br. Exh. A, document 1060.)

In September, 1998, one of the Plaintiffs in this case reported to her mother that Nearly had inappropriately touched her and two other girls while they where aides in Kearly’s gym class. Nearly was removed from the classroom and tenure charges were initiated. (District’s Br. at 6.) Nearly, when initially confronted with the charges, claimed that Defendant Maiorano gave him permission to use student aides. (Pl.’s Resp. Br. Exh. 2, document 31-32; Callaghan Dep. at 20.) Moreover, after Maiorano was provided with the specific details of the sexual abuse, Nearly was asked to remove his personal belongings from the building. On his way out, Nearly told Maiorano: “Love you, brother.” (Maiorano Dep. at 117.) Maiorano acknowledges that Nearly was hoping that he would cover for him. (Id.) Maiorano responded: “Don’t worry about it, it’s okay.” (Id.) Maiorano claims that he was just trying to avoid Nearly. (Id.)

As previously noted, Plaintiffs’ complaint, filed on June 30, 2000, sets forth three counts — Count I: Michigan gross negligence and intentional misconduct; Count II: Federal 42 U.S.C. § 1983 — violation of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; and Count III: Federal Title IX sexual harassment. Now before the Court is (1) Dr. James Clor, Jerry Maiorano and the Warren Consolidated School District’s motion for summary judgment; and (2) Dr. Paul Stama-takis’ motion for summary judgment.

ANALYSIS

A. Standard of Review

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56, a party against whom a claim, counterclaim, or cross-claim is asserted may “at any time, move with or without supporting affidavits, for a summary judgment in the party’s favor as to all or any part thereof.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(b). Summary judgment is appropriate where the moving party demonstrates that there is no genuine issue of material fact as to the existence of an essential element of the nonmoving party’s case on which the non-moving party would bear the burden of proof at trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986).

Of course, [the moving party] always bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,” which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.

Id. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548; Gutierrez v. Lynch, 826 F.2d 1534, 1536 (6th Cir.1987).

A fact is “material” for purposes of a motion for summary judgment where proof of that fact “would have [the] effect of establishing or refuting one of the essential elements of a cause of action or defense asserted by the parties.” Kendall v. Hoover Co., 751 F.2d 171, 174 (6th Cir.1984) (quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 881 (6th ed.1979)) (citations omitted). A dispute over a material fact is genuine “if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247-48, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). Conversely, where a reasonable jury could not find for the non-moving party, there is no genuine issue of material fact for trial. Id.; Feliciano v. City of Cleveland, 988 F.2d 649, 654 (6th Cir.1993). In making this evaluation, the court must examine the evidence and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party. Bender v. Southland Corp., 749 F.2d 1205, 1210-11 (6th Cir.1984).

If this burden is met by the moving party, the non-moving party’s failure to make a showing that is “sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial” will mandate the entry of summary judgment. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548 (1986). The non-moving party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleadings, but the response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in Rule 56, must set forth specific facts which demonstrate that there is a genuine issue for trial. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). The rule requires the non-moving party to introduce “evidence of evidentiary quality” demonstrating the existence of a material fact. Bailey v. Floyd Cty. Bd. of Ed., 106 F.3d 135, 145 (6th Cir.1997); see also Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (holding that the non-moving party must produce more than a mere scintilla of evidence to survive summary judgment).

B. Count I — Michigan: Gross Negligence and Intentional Misconduct

The Court must grant summary judgment in favor of the Defendants with respect to Plaintiffs’ claim of gross negligence and intentional misconduct.

Michigan Compiled Laws section 691.1407(1), applicable with respect to Defendant Warren Consolidated School District, provides:

Except as otherwise provided in this act, a governmental agency is immune from tort liability if the governmental agency is engaged in the exercise or discharge of a governmental function. Except as otherwise provided in this act, this act does not modify or restrict the immunity of the state from tort liability as it existed before July 1, 1965, which immunity is affirmed.

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 691.1407(1) (emphasis added). “Governmental agency” is defined as the state or a political subdivision. MiCH. Comp. Laws Ann. § 691.1401(d). “Political subdivision,” in turn:

means a municipal corporation, county, county road commission, school district, community college district, port district, metropolitan district, or transportation authority or a combination of 2 or more of these when acting jointly; a district or authority authorized by law or formed by 1 or more political subdivisions; or an agency, department, court, board, or council of a political subdivision.

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 691.1401(b) (emphasis added). As such, the Warren Consolidated School District is absolutely immune from Plaintiffs’ claim of gross negligence. Sayers v. School Dist. No. 1, 366 Mich. 217, 114 N.W.2d 191 (1962).

The remaining individual Defendants are entitled to summary judgment pursuant to section 1407(2). This section provides:

Except as otherwise provided in this section, and without regard to the discretionary or ministerial nature of the conduct in question, each officer and employee of a governmental agency, each volunteer acting on behalf of a governmental agency, and each member of a board, council, commission, or statutorily created task force of a governmental agency is immune from tort liability for an injury to a person or damage to property caused by the officer, employee, or member while in the course of employment or service or caused by the volunteer while acting on behalf of a governmental agency if all of the following are met:

(a) The officer, employee, member, or volunteer is acting or reasonably believes he or she is acting within the scope of his or her authority.

(b) The governmental agency is engaged in the exercise or discharge of a governmental function.

(c) The officer’s, employee’s, member’s, or volunteer’s conduct does not amount to gross negligence that is the proximate cause of the injury or damage. As used in this subdivision, “gross negligence” means conduct so reckless as to demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury results.

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 691.1407(2) (emphasis added). Thus, under the terms of the statute, an employee is not entitled to governmental immunity if his or her gross negligence is “the proximate cause” of the plaintiffs injury or damage.

The Michigan Supreme Court in Robinson v. City of Detroit, 462 Mich. 439, 613 N.W.2d 307 (2000), overruled Dedes v. Asch, 446 Mich. 99, 521 N.W.2d 488 (1994), holding that the phrase “the proximate cause” means the one most immediate, efficient, and direct cause preceding an injury, not “a proximate cause.” Robinson, 462 Mich. at 445-46, 613 N.W.2d 307. The Court stated:

[I]t is clear that the phrase ‘the proximate cause’ contemplates one cause.... ‘[T]he proximate cause’ [means] the immediate efficient, direct cause preceding the injury.... [T]hus we conclude that in [MiCh. Comp. Laws Ann. § 691.1407(2)(c) ], the Legislature provided tort immunity for employees of governmental agencies unless the employee’s conduct amounts to gross negligence that is the one most immediate, efficient, and direct cause of the injury or damages, i.e., the proximate cause.

Robinson, 462 Mich, at 462, 613 N.W.2d 307. In this case, “the proximate cause” of Plaintiffs’ injuries was Defendant Kearly’s sexual molestation of the Plaintiffs — the sexual assault was the most immediate, efficient, and direct cause of the injuries. See e.g., Clark v. State of Michigan, Nos. 231769, 231854, 2002 WL 1463556, at *4 (Mich.Ct.App. July 5, 2002); Ortiz v. Porter, No. 226466, 2001 WL 1545914, at *2 (Mich.Ct.App. Nov. 30, 2001); Estate of George v. State of Michigan, 136 F.Supp.2d 695, 703 (E.D.Mich.2001). Thus, the individual defendants, who were acting within the scope of their authority, are entitled to governmental immunity.

Plaintiffs argue that the holding in Robinson does not apply where, as in this case, all of the alleged instrumentalities of injury were state actors. There is no indication, however, that the holding of Robinson is so limited. The Michigan Supreme Court’s conclusion was not based on the specific facts presented; instead, the Court arrived at its conclusion based upon the clear and unambiguous language of the statute. Robinson, 462 Mich, at 458-463, 613 N.W.2d 307; see also Clark, supra at *4 (“Plaintiff argues that Robinson does not apply because it is factually distinguishable and involved motor vehicles, and that if Robinson does apply this Court should refuse to apply it and follow the dissent in Robinson. Neither assertion has merit. The Robinson Court’s language regarding the phrase ‘the proximate cause’ in M.C.L. § 691.1407(2)(e), quoted supra, is not limited.”).

C. Count II — Federal: 42 U.S.C. § 1983 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides, in relevant part:

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable.

In order to establish a prima facie case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must establish that (1) the individual defendant was acting under color of state law; and (2) the defendant deprived the plaintiff of his rights secured by the United States Constitution. Neuens v. City of Columbus, 303 F.3d 667, 670 (6th Cir.2002) (citation omitted); Wolotsky v. Huhn, 960 F.2d 1331, 1334-35 (6th Cir.1992) (citation omitted).

1. Individual Defendants

The individual defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity with respect to Plaintiffs § 1983 due process claim.

(i) Qualified Immunity Standard

Government officials are afforded qualified immunity for their discretionary functions, as long as the conduct “does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Sandul v. Larion, 119 F.3d 1250, 1254 (6th Cir.1997) (quoting Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727; 73 L.Ed.2d 396 (1982)); Sova v. City of Mt. Pleasant, 142 F.3d 898, 902 (6th Cir.1998). When a defendant seeks qualified immunity, the court should address the issue early on in the proceedings “so that the costs and expenses of trial are avoided where the defense is dispositive.” Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 2155-56, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001). While the Defendants in this case bore the burden of pleading the affirmative defense of qualified immunity, the “ultimate burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that the defendant is not entitled to qualified immunity.” Sheets v. Mullins, 287 F.3d 581, 586 (6th Cir.2002) (citations omitted).

The Supreme Court recently clarified the appropriate analysis to be used when evaluating a claim of qualified immunity. According to Saucier, a court must perform a two-step sequential inquiry. See Phelps v. Coy, 286 F.3d 295, 299 (6th Cir.2002); Comstock v. McCrary, 273 F.3d 693, 702 (6th Cir.2001). First, as a threshold matter, the district court must determine whether the facts, taken in a light most favorable to the injured party, show that the officer’s conduct violated a constitutional right. Saucier, 121 S.Ct. at 2156; Comstock, 273 F.3d at 702. “If no constitutional right would have been violated were the allegations established, there is no [need] for further inquirfy] concerning qualified immunity.” Saucier, 121 S.Ct. at 2156. However, if a violation could be established, taking the facts in a light most favorable to the injured party, the court must determine whether the right was clearly established. Id. The issue whether a right was clearly established is a legal question which must be determined by the Court.

An noted in Anderson v. Creighton, 483 U.S. 635, 107 S.Ct. 3034, 97 L.Ed.2d 523 (1987), the injured party must allege more than an abstract right, such as the right to due process, or the right to be free from excessive force under the Fourth Amendment; instead, the right must be clearly established in a “more particularized, and hence more relevant sense: The contours of the right must be sufficiently clear that a reasonable official would understand that what he is doing violates that right.” Saucier, 121 S.Ct. at 2156 (discussing Anderson, 483 U.S. at 640, 107 S.Ct. 3034). Thus, according to the Supreme Court, a right is clearly established if’it would be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Id.; Phelps, 286 F.3d at 299. Stated another way, qualified immunity protects “all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law.” Saucier, 121 S.Ct. at 2157 (quoting Malley v. Briggs, 475 U.S. 335, 341, 106 S.Ct. 1092, 89 L.Ed.2d 271 (1986)). Qualified immunity protects a government official who “reasonably acted unreasonably.” Id. (discussing Anderson, supra). As recently noted by the Sixth Circuit, a court “need not, of course, find a case in which ‘the very action in question has previously been held unlawful,’ but, ‘in the light of pre-existing law[,] the unlawfulness must be apparent.’ ” Comstock, 273 F.3d at 702 (quoting Saucier).

(ii) Violation of a Constitutional Right

The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment clearly protects the right of a child to be free from sexual abuse inflicted by a public school employee/teacher. See Doe v. City of Roseville, 296 F.3d 431, 438 (6th Cir.2002) (discussing Doe v. Claiborne County, Tenn., 103 F.3d 495 (6th Cir.1996) and Ingraham v. Wright, 430 U.S. 651, 97 S.Ct. 1401, 51 L.Ed.2d 711 (1977)). Thus, Plaintiffs’ constitutional right to be free from sexual abuse at the hands of Defendant Kearly was clearly established at the time of the alleged abuse. The liability of Kearly, however, is not currently before the Court. Instead, Plaintiffs seek to hold Defendant Stamatakis, former Superintendent of the District, Defendant Clor, current Superintendent and former Associate Superintendent in charge of elementary education, and Defendant Maiorano (“Maiorano”), Principal of Siersma Elementary School, directly liable under § 1983.

In Roseville, the Sixth Circuit reiterated that in an earlier decision, the court explicitly stated that the “supervisory liability” test established in Bellamy v. Bradley, 729 F.2d 416 (6th Cir.1984), applied to individual defendants who had supervisory responsibility over the school employee/teaeher-i.e., school administrators may be held liable for the constitutional injury caused by the teacher/employee under the long-established supervisory liability test. Roseville, 296 F.3d at 439 (discussing Claiborne County, 103 F.3d at 513).

However, as outlined in Roseville and Claiborne County, this standard of liability is an onerous one. A defendant cannot be found liable if he or she was merely “sloppy, reckless or negligent in the performance of their [supervisory] duties.” Id. at 439. Instead:

“[a] plaintiff must show that, in light of the information the defendants possessed, the teacher who engaged in sexual abuse showed a strong likelihood that he would attempt to sexually abuse other students, such that the failure to take adequate precautions amounted to deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of students.” Claiborne County, 103 F.3d at 513 (internal quotation marks omitted). Put another way, we said, the plaintiff must show that the “defendants’ conduct amounted to a tacit authorization of the abuse.” Id. (citing Bellamy, 729 F.2d at 421). We concluded that

[defendants here were simply not confronted with such a widespread pattern of constitutional violations that their actions or inactions amounted to a deliberate indifference to the danger of Davis sexually abusing students. The steps they did take, and even those they failed to take and arguably should have taken, do not show that they “encouraged the specific incident of misconduct or in some other way directly participated in it.” Nor did they authorize, approve, or knowingly acquiesce in Davis’s unconstitutional conduct. They had no knowledge, constructive or otherwise, that Davis was abusing Doe.

Id. (internal citations omitted).

Id. (emphasis added). The Sixth Circuit went on to note that allegations that a supervisor failed to act were insufficient— “[i]n the absence of any allegation that the supervisors had ‘participated, encouraged, authorized or acquiesced in’ the offending conduct ... supervisors had, as a matter of law, ‘neither committed a constitutional violation nor violated a clearly established right.’” Id. at 439-40. The court also cited with approval a decision of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. There, the court noted that the deprivations that constitute widespread abuse sufficient to notify the supervisor must be “obvious, flagrant, rampant, and of continued duration, rather than isolated occurrences.” Id. at 440, 440-41 (quoting Braddy v. Florida Dep’t of Labor & Employment Sec., 133 F.3d 797, 802 (11th Cir.1998)).

Such Sixth Circuit precedent presents a high hurdle for Plaintiffs to overcome. However, a review of the record currently before the Court reveals that this case presents the rare instance in which summary judgment is not appropriate under this standard. A summary of Roseville and Claiborne County is instructive.

(a) Doe v. City of Roseville, 296 F.3d 431 (6th Cir.2002)

In Roseville, the plaintiff alleged that she was sexually abused by John Lom-nicki, her elementary school reading teacher during the years 1992 and 1993. Rose-ville, 296 F.3d at 433-34. Lomnicki was hired by the school district in 1960. During the 1975-76 academic year, several girls alleged that Lomnicki touched them in an inappropriate manner. Principal Slinde allegedly told one of the girl’s father that “she did not see how it could be possible.” Slinde did not document the incident or report it to anyone: she did, however, give Lomnicki an oral warning. Id. at 434.

The next year, more allegations of improper touching surfaced. Principal Slinde allegedly questioned the girls and told them that “she did not want to hear anymore talk about it,” Slinde also allegedly cautioned the girls that they were not supposed to tell anyone of the touching, even their parents. Id.

Lomnicki was then transferred to a different elementary school. Slinde, however, did not inform the school of Lomnicki’s oral reprimand. In 1979, Superintendent Mayer was notified that Lomnicki had fondled the breasts of four sixth-grade girlsi Mayer investigated, determined that Lom-nicki used “poor judgment,” and issued a written, sealed reprimand. Id. at 435.

Lomnicki was subsequently transferred to Arbor Elementary School, where he taught individual students, one at a time, in a private classroom. When the transfer was effectuated, school officials, once again, were not informed of the oral reprimand or the sealed written reprimand. No allegations of improper conduct were made until 1988 when several sixth-grade girls, , reported ■ improper touching by Lomnicki (hugging, back rubs, forcible hand holding). Assistant Superintendent Herron and Superintendent Mayer were informed of the allegations. Herron conducted an investigation and a sealed reprimand was once again issued to Lom-nicki. for “poor judgment.”. Additionally, Mayer sent a confidential memorandum to the board of education and the district’s attorney, informing them of the two incidents for which Lomnicki received written sealed reprimands. Id. at 435. Mayer notified the County Child Abuse Office and transferred Lomnicki to Eastland Elementary School. Id.

Lomnicki occupied a similar position at Eastland Elementary-teaching individual students, one at a time. It is here, in 1992 and 1993, that • the plaintiff alleged that Lomnicki committed horrific acts of sexual abuse, the details which are not important to the instant discussion. The plaintiff however, did not immediately notify her parents or school authorities of the abuse. Id. at 436-37. Instead, in early 1993, a criminal investigation was commenced against Lomnicki with respect to an unrelated matter — the sexual abuse of his neighbor. Superintendent Kment was informed of the police investigation in January or February 1993 — Lomnicki was removed from direct contact with students, and the criminal investigation became known to the community at large in March, 1993. Id. at 436. Approximately twenty-one months later, in December, 1994, plaintiffs mother reported her daughter’s allegations. Director of Special Education Silava immediately filed a report with the Michigan Department of Social Services; however, she stated that the perpetrator of the abuse was unknown but possibly might be in the household. The plaintiffs litigation ensued. Id. at 437.

The Court first addressed the actions of Slinde, Mayer and Herron, the three employees who were no longer employed by the district at the time the plaintiff was allegedly abused. The court acknowledged that the conduct of the three defendants was “disturbing.” Id. at 440. However, according to the court:

Nothing that these defendants did or did not do encouraged Lomnicki’s abuse of Jane, constituted participation in that abuse, or authorized, approved or knowingly acquieseed in it. Id.

Viewed from the perspective of the twenty-first century, the responses of these three defendants to reports of Lomnicki’s conduct are disturbing. Hindsight reveals that Lomnicki was a pedophile. But our task is not to reconstruct the reality of Lomnicki’s proclivities. Our task is to determine whether defendant Slinde, a quarter of a century ago, defendant Mayer, in 1979 and 1988, and defendant Herron, in 1988, were confronted with conduct that was “obvious, flagrant, rampant, and of continued duration, rather than isolated occurrences,” Braddy, 133 F.3d at 802, or with “such a widespread pattern of constitutional violations,” Claiborne County, 103 F.3d at 513, that their actions demonstrated deliberate indifference to the danger of Lomnicki’s sexually abusing students. We hold that they were not. We cannot weave the threads of such a pattern on the loom of hindsight, and the facts as Jane portrays them do not demonstrate anything more than negligence on the part of these defendants. Although Jane had a constitutional right to be free from sexual abuse at the hands of a school teacher or official, she did not have a constitutional right to be free from negligence in the supervision of the teacher who is alleged to have actually abused her. Negligence is not enough to impose section 1983 liability on a supervisor. Claiborne County, 103 F.3d at 513.

Id. at 440-41.

Similarly, the Court found that Superintendent Kment did not violate the plaintiffs constitutional rights. The Court stated:

It is undisputed that defendant Kment was not aware of any of Lomnicki’s history of alleged misconduct with female students. Defendant Kment learned no earlier than the beginning of January 1993, of the police investigation into Lomnicki’s alleged abuse of Sarah Williams. By early March, Kment had removed Lomnicki from the classroom. There is no dispute that Kment had no knowledge of Lomnicki’s alleged abuse of Jane until the end of 1994. The facts as Jane portrays them do not demonstrate any causal connection between any action or inaction of Kment and any injury to Jane, and therefore do not allege a violation of any constitutional right.

Id. at 441.

(b) Doe v. Claiborne County, Tenn., 103 F.3d 495 (6th Cir.1996)

In Claiborne County, the plaintiff alleged that she was sexually harassed, abused and raped by a school teacher, Jeffrey Davis, a physical education teacher, in 1991 and 1992. Claiborne County, 103 F.3d at 500-01. Allegations with respect to Davis first surfaced in 1989 while he was a teacher at Midway School. At that time, Principal James Bundren was informed that Davis allegedly touched a female student in an inappropriate manner. A meeting was convened by Bundren with Davis,, former Superintendent Peters, and the student’s family. Davis contended that nothing inappropriate occurred between the two, an explanation which apparently satisfied the student’s mother. Bundren warned Davis “not to be so friendly with [the] students,” and placed a note of the meeting in Davis’ personnel file. Id. at 501-02.

A few months later, in January, 1990, Superintendent Peters was notified by the Department of Human- Services (“DHS”) that Davis had allegedly sexually abused nine different girls at Midway School. Two months later, the DHS informed Peters that Davis was still under investigation and that “immediate action” needed to be taken to ensure that Davis would have “no access to or contact with any child.” The district promptly removed Davis from student contact and chose not to rehire him for the upcoming school year. Id. at 502.

Thereafter, the DHS concluded that four of the nine allegations were “founded.” Davis negotiated a “pre-trial agreement” with the DHS in which the DHS agreed (1) that criminal proceedings, if any, would be brought by the alleged victims, not the DHS; (2) the DHS would not place Davis’ name on a registry; and (3) although the DHS would notify the board of education of its finding, it would not take an active role in seeking the suspension of his teaching license. Interim Superintendent Dobbs interpreted the letter “to be an exoneration of Davis.” Id. at 502-03.

Thereafter, based on a promise made by school board chairman Burehette that the school board would approve Davis’ rehiring, Defendant Barnard, principal at Soldiers Memorial Middle School (“SMMS”) personally offered Davis the position of physical education teacher and coach at SMMS. When Davis started to explain the DHS charges, Barnard responded that he didn’t “want to hear about it.” Although Barnard knew that DHS had requested that Davis refrain from student contact, he made no further inquiries because he believed that Davis had been exonerated of all charges based on the pre-trial agreement. In September, 1990, the school board officially rehired Davis. At the hearing, Superintendent Norris testified that he inspected Davis’ personnel file and interpreted the information as consisting of “unfounded charges.” Id. at 503.

Because of the DHS charges and other rumors and accusations, Principal Barnard began to closely supervise Davis. In fact, Barnard’s permission was specifically requested with respect to the use of the plaintiff as a scorekeeper for Davis’ basketball team. Barnard responded: “If you can’t find anybody else. If we can’t find anybody else.” Davis began to sexually abuse the plaintiff shortly thereafter. Id. at 503.

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs section 1983 claims against Superintendents Peters and Norris, and Principal Barnard. The court stated:

It may be freely conceded that the actions of these individuals left a lot to be desired. They may have been sloppy, reckless, or neglectful in the performance of their duties. But that is not enough for section 1983 liability under the precedent laid down in Bellamy, 729 F.2d.416, and Barber v. City of Salem, 953 F.2d 232 (6th Cir.1992). * * * *

Defendants here were simply not confronted with such a widespread pattern of constitutional violations that their actions or inactions amounted to a deliberate indifference to the danger of Davis sexually abusing students. The steps they did take, and even those they failed to take and arguably should have taken, do not show that they “encouraged the specific incident of misconduct or in some other way directly participated in it.” Id. Nor did they authorize, approve, or knowingly acquiesce in Davis’s unconstitutional conduct. Id. They had no knowledge, constructive or otherwise, that Davis was abusing Doc. We therefore affirm the dismissal of the claims against Peters, Norris, and Lynn Barnard on grounds other than those stated by the district court.

Id. at 513.

(iii) Application of Roseville and Claiborne County to the Instant Case

The Court will address each individual defendant in turn.

Defendant Stamatakis

Defendant Stamatakis claims that he approved Kearly’s transfer because he did not feel that the information contained in Kearly’s “personnel file” supported tenure charges. Stamatakis notes that the District had purged Kearly’s personnel file, including many allegations of improper conduct/touching. Thus, he claims to have made the best decision based on the information available at the time. In fact, Stamatakis claims that if all of the information regarding Kearly’s prior conduct had been maintained in his personnel file, he may have made a different decision. Consequently, Stamatakis argues that his conduct, even viewed in hindsight, amounts to nothing more than mere negligence.

However, taking the facts in a light most favorable the non-moving party, Stamatak-is’ claim that he was hampered by a lack of information is untenable. Marsha Pando, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, testified that high level meetings occurred prior to the transfer in which Sharon Hughes, the District’s Director of Personnel, presented material which had been purged from Kearly’s personnel file. Additionally, Ms. Hughes voiced her concern directly to Stamatakis that Kearly was a threat to elementary school students. Testimony in the record reveals that when confronted with this information, Stamatakis characterized Kearly as a “scumbag.” Stamatakis’ also received a memorandum from Ms. Hughes which included documents from Kearly’s file; Hughes argued that the “incidents are severe enough and recent enough to warrant concern. I strongly urge that you support administration’s decision to deny his transfer to elementary physical education.”

Having been confronted with the documentation, and having concluded that Kearly’s long history of misconduct rendered him a “scumbag,” Stamatakis still decided, as part of concessions made during the District’s collective bargaining with the WEA, to resolve the grievance in Kearly’s favor, and allow him to return to the elementary school level. In doing so, Stamatakis “did an end around” the normal chain of command, ignoring Roger Allen, the then Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, who would have vehemently argued against the transfer. Furthermore, Stamatakis made this decision despite acknowledging that if there is a concern that a teacher could be harming students, it is imperative that the district err on the side of caution and protect the students, even if it means breaking a contract. Most troubling, however, is the fact that Stamatakis actually testified that he based his decision, at least in part, on his opinion that a transfer might be appropriate because Kearly would be removed from the middle school setting where there were older, more developed girls that might attract Kearly. Thus, despite the fact that Stamatakis acknowledges that younger girls are more vulnerable to sexual predators such as Kearly, (Stamatakis Dep. at 93), Stamatakis decided to place Kearly at the elementary school level in the hope that he would not be attracted to very young girls. Such conduct goes well beyond mere negligence, indeed, transcends gross negligence, and borders on gross incompetence. At a minimum, taking the facts in a light most favorable to the Plaintiffs, Stamatakis’ conduct exhibits deliberate indifference.

Stamatakis was not satisfied, however, with merely approving the transfer. Taking the facts in a light most favorable to the non-moving party, Stamatakis’ wrath fell upon the individual who most strongly, and most publically, opposed the transfer — Sharon Hughes. Ms. Hughes was reprimanded for her failure to properly purge employee files and for making recommendations “without making a diligent review of the applicable personnel file ... and by considering matters which by agreement were to have been destroyed or expunged from the employees personnel file.” (PL’s Resp. Br. Exh. 3, document 1277; Hughes Dep. at 104 — noting that she was reprimanded for the handling of the Kearly case.) Ms. Hughes was later removed from her position as Director of Personnel and banished to the position of technical education supervisor. (Hughes Dep. at 10.)

Stamatakis’ deliberate indifference did not end here. Shortly after the transfer, Kearly once again began a course of improper conduct. This included grabbing his crotch in front of a class, hugging fifth grade girls, and allegedly kissing an elementary school girl on the lips. Stama-takis’ transfer order permitted Kearly to remain in direct contact with students, notwithstanding Director Hughes’ second strong warning to Stamatakis:

It is again with grave concern that I have approached you on this matter of Mr. Kearly and elementary girls. The safety and welfare of our students is our most important charge. Since I have not heard from you, this is to clarify that it is my expectation that you will either conduct or direct wh