The Salem-Keizer School District is suing a student and his parents for more than $19,000 in property damages.
While attending a volleyball tournament at Crossler Middle School on June 6, 2016, the student and a friend reportedly roamed the hallways looking for unlocked classrooms.
They entered room 106, accessed the supply closet and poured hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, iodine and food coloring across the science classroom, according to the lawsuit filed in Marion County Circuit Court.
The suit claims damages to the floors, desks and computers, with the cost of repairs listed at $19,293.04.
Parents are liable for the student’s actions under ORS 30.765. However, the statute only allows the district to sue the parents up to $7,500.
Lillian Govus, a spokeswoman for the district, said that while parental liability is limited to $7,500, the claim against the student is not capped, possibly leaving the student responsible for $11,793.04.
The student, who was attending Crossler at the time, has a history of destructive behavior, according to the lawsuit. Throughout the 2015-16 school year, the student accumulated over a dozen entries in his disciplinary record. At least two of these directly resulted in calls to his parents.
The lawsuit asserts the parents failed to “exercise reasonable control” over their child. The parents could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The second student is not a defendant in the lawsuit and Govus said “the district only intends to hold those responsible accountable.”
The Statesman Journal typically does not identify minors accused of crimes or misconduct.
Govus confirmed the damage was done outside school hours and when the student was not under the district’s supervision. She said the science classroom was “appropriately secure” and district officials believe the student intentionally caused the vandalism.
The district repaired the damages as efficiently as possible and tried to work with the family to reimburse that cost, Govus said. Only after those efforts failed did they consider litigation.
“The district only intends to hold those responsible accountable, but we will do so professionally and recognizing that this is a family in our community and who we serve,” she said.
A trial date has not been set.
Contact Natalie Pate at npate@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6745, or follow her on Twitter @Nataliempate or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist
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