BARTOW, Fla. (AP) — The Polk County School Board has agreed to pay $120,000 to a family who accused a former elementary school principal of inappropriately hugging their two daughters.
David Carmichael, a lawyer for the school district, said the school shouldn’t be liable for principal John Stelmack’s actions, but said the district feels “responsible for our students.”
A judge signed the settlement earlier this month. The girls, who have not been identified, will split the money in a college trust fund and pay legal fees. They transferred to another school.
The 63-year-old Stelmack was sentenced in 2009 to five years in prison for possessing child pornography and 10 years of sex offender probation. He is appealing.
Officials uncovered the hugging incidents during an internal investigation.
Police: Seattle Cafe Gunman May Have Shot Self
No Limits for Disabled Hunters at Mich. Base
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Radioactive Bluefin Tuna Crossed the Pacific
90 Guns Seized, Dozens Arrested in Oakland
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Judge's Ruling Halts Tenn. Mosque Construction
Romney in Las Vegas on Texas Primary Day
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
