K.R.B et al v. Elizabethtown Independent School District et al
Filing
16
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER by Judge Greg N. Stivers on 04/27/2018. Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (DN 7 , 14 ) is DENIED. cc: Counsel; Stephen Kyle Goodlett (CDF)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
LOUISVILLE DIVISION
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:17-CV-00605-GNS
KRISTEN R. BUSSELL and
KALI C. CENTENO
PLAINTIFFS
v.
ELIZABETHTOWN INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT; and
STEPHEN KYLE GOODLETT
DEFENDANTS
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (DN 7).1 The motion
has been fully briefed and is ripe for adjudication. For the reasons outlined below, the motion is
DENIED.
I.
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CLAIMS
This is a civil rights action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a) et
seq. (“Title IX”), with pendent state law claims.
(Compl., DN 1; Am. Compl., DN 13).
Plaintiffs Kristen R. Bussell and Kali C. Centeno (together, “Plaintiffs”), on behalf of themselves
and a putative class of others similarly situated, allege that Elizabethtown Independent School
District (“District” or “Defendant”) and Stephen Kyle Goodlett (“Goodlett”) violated their
privacy rights when they were students at Elizabethtown High School (“EHS”) between 20102012. (Compl. 1-2). Plaintiffs claim that pursuant to EHS’s policy of allowing teachers and
school administrators to confiscate and retain student cell phones if used during school hours,
District school officials, including Goodlett, seized and searched the content of student cell
1
Following the filing of Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint (DN 13), Defendant reasserted and
incorporated its prior arguments. (DN 14). The Court will therefore consider the arguments
contained in the original Motion to Dismiss as applied to the Amended Complaint.
phones, including Plaintiffs’. (Compl. ¶¶ 10, 21-24). Plaintiffs further assert that Goodlett found
private nude and semi-nude photographs on their phones, and that Goodlett later uploaded those
images to the Internet.2 (Compl. ¶¶ 22-33).
Plaintiffs bring claims against the District under Section 1983 for violations of their
Fourth Amendment rights; under Title IX for discrimination and harassment; and under Article I,
Section 10 of the Kentucky Constitution for unreasonable search and seizure.3 (Compl. ¶¶ 3451, 63-72).
Plaintiffs contend that the District is liable, as Goodlett’s actions were taken
pursuant to his position as a teacher at EHS, under a policy adopted by the District, and that the
District “fail[ed] to develop and enforce adequate policies and procedures” to prevent “the
deprivation of a student’s federally protected rights . . . .” (Compl. ¶¶ 63-69). Plaintiffs’ suit is
brought on behalf of themselves, and a putative class, defined as:
All students at Elizabethtown High School from 2010 through 2012, whose
cellular telephones were confiscated by teachers and/or school officials at
Elizabethtown High School; whose cellular telephones, once confiscated, were
searched by teachers and/or school officials; and whose photographic images
stored on said cellular telephones were transferred by Elizabethtown High School
teachers and/or officials to thumb drives or other storage devices and then
uploaded to one or more internet websites without the students’ knowledge or
consent.
(Compl. ¶ 74).
II.
JURISDICTION
The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiffs’ Section 1983 and Title IX
claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 because a federal question is presented. Additionally, the Court
has subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiffs’ state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367.
2
Both parties agree that Goodlett’s actions were illegal. (Compl. ¶ 24; Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 6, 8,
15, DN 7).
3
Plaintiffs also allege claims under Kentucky law for invasion of privacy, outrage, and libel, but
have since noted that these claims were intended only as against Goodlett, not the District.
(Compl. ¶¶ 52-62; Pls.’ Resp. 14, DN 10).
2
III.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the
pleader is entitled to relief,” and is subject to dismissal if it “fail[s] to state a claim upon which
relief can be granted.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2); Fed. R. Civ. P 12(b)(6). When considering a
motion to dismiss, courts must presume all factual allegations in the complaint to be true and
make all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party. Total Benefits Planning
Agency, Inc. v. Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, 552 F.3d 430, 434 (6th Cir. 2008) (citation
omitted). “But the district court need not accept a bare assertion of legal conclusions.” Tackett v.
M & G Polymers, USA, LLC, 561 F.3d 478, 488 (6th Cir. 2009) (citation omitted). “A pleading
that offers labels and conclusions or a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action
will not do. Nor does a complaint suffice if it tenders naked assertion[s] devoid of further factual
enhancement.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (internal quotation marks omitted)
(citation omitted).
To survive a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), the plaintiff must allege “enough
facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Traverse Bay Area Intermediate Sch.
Dist. v. Mich. Dep’t of Educ., 615 F.3d 622, 627 (6th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks
omitted) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim becomes
plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable
inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citing
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). “A complaint will be dismissed pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) if no law
supports the claims made, if the facts alleged are insufficient to state a claim, or if the face of the
complaint presents an insurmountable bar to relief.” Southfield Educ. Ass’n v. Southfield Bd. of
Educ., 570 F. App’x 485, 487 (6th Cir. 2014) (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 561-64).
3
In reviewing a motion to dismiss, the Court “may consider the Complaint and any
exhibits attached thereto, public records, items appearing in the record of the case and exhibits
attached to defendant’s motion to dismiss so long as they are referred to in the Complaint and are
central to the claims contained therein.” Bassett v. Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n, 528 F.3d 426,
430 (6th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted). As the Complaint clearly centers on EHS’s “written or
unwritten policy related to cellular telephones[,]” the Court will consider the EHS Cell Phone
Policy as included in Defendant’s motion, as well as the District’s Search and Seizure Policy as
attached to Plaintiffs’ Response. (Def’s. Mot. Dismiss 5; Pls.’ Resp. Def.’s Mot. Dismiss. Ex. A,
DN 10-1).4
IV.
DISCUSSION
Defendant moves the Court to dismiss the Amended Complaint, asserting, inter alia, that
it is entitled to immunity, cannot be vicariously liable for Goodlett’s actions, and did not have a
legal duty to implement policies to prevent Goodlett’s unforeseeable criminal conduct. (Def.’s
Mot. Dismiss 2). The District’s arguments as to each claim are addressed in turn.
A.
Section 1983 & Kentucky Constitutional Claims
To state a claim under Section 1983, “[a] plaintiff must establish both that 1) she was
deprived of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States and 2) the
deprivation was caused by a person acting under color of state law.” Redding v. St. Eward, 241
F.3d 530, 532 (6th Cir. 2001) (citation omitted). Because “Section 1983 is not itself a source of
any substantive rights, but instead provides the means by which rights conferred elsewhere may
4
The District argues that Plaintiffs’ citation to and reliance upon the Search and Seizure Policy is
improper, as it “is not a basis for the claims asserted in their Complaint” and that “no policy
allowed for the illegal search of students’ cell phones” and asks the Court to limit its analysis to
the EHS Cell Phone Policy alone. (Def.’s Reply Supp. Mot. Dismiss 1-3, DN 12 [hereinafter
Def.’s Reply] (emphasis in original)). As Plaintiffs’ Complaint specifically refers to “the policy
adopted by the Defendant, Elizabethtown Independent School District[,]” the Court will consider
both policies in its analysis. (Compl. ¶ 64).
4
be enforced[,]” the Court’s “first task . . . is to identify the specific constitutional . . . rights
allegedly infringed.” Meals v. City of Memphis, 493 F.3d 720, 727-28 (6th Cir. 2007) (citations
omitted).
In this case, Plaintiffs contend, inter alia:
[D]espite a complete lack of reasonable suspicion, upon information and
belief, . . . Goodlett, and/or other school officials at EHS, acting under the color of
state law in their capacity as public school officials, unreasonably and unlawfully
searched the images stored on the cellular telephones of the Plaintiffs and
similarly situated students.
In so doing, Defendants . . . violated the rights of the Plaintiffs and similarly
situated students under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution
and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 . . . .
(Compl. ¶¶ 40-41). Specifically concerning the District, Plaintiffs allege:
The Elizabethtown Independent School District is liable for damages in this case
because, (A) it had a custom, pattern and/or practice of tolerance or acquiescence
in the misconduct alleged . . .; (B) because final policymakers engaged in,
adopted or ratified the misconduct at issue; (C) its own policies resulted in the
violations of federal law as alleged . . .; and (D) it provided no sufficient training
or supervision to prevent the conduct alleged . . . .
...
[Goodlett’s actions] were undertaken by him while acting as an official, agent
and/or employee of the [District] . . . , were undertaken under color of the
authority vested in him by the [District] . . . , and were undertaken by him as the
official of the [District] . . . with final decision-making authority in regard to the
confiscation, retention, search, disposition and/or return of his student’s cellular
telephone and the contents thereof under the policy adopted by the [District] . . . .
(Compl. ¶¶ 36, 64).
“The Fourth Amendment provides that the right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
5
violated . . . .”5 Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 8 (1968) (internal quotation marks omitted). The
Supreme Court has held that while students have a legitimate expectation of privacy while at
school, that expectation must be balanced against the school’s need to protect the learning
environment. New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325, 340-42 (1985).
KRS 158.165 mandates that school districts develop a policy to govern the possession
and use of cell phones by students while on school property. KRS 158.165(1). The Cell Phone
Policy at EHS stated, in relevant part:
[W]hile on school property or attending school sponsored or school related
activities, students shall be permitted to possess and use personal
telecommunications devices (cell phones) provided they observe the following
conditions:
1. Devices shall not be used in a manner that disrupts the educational process,
including, but not limited to, posing a threat to academic integrity or violating
confidentiality or privacy rights of another individual, unless an emergency
situation exists that involves imminent physical danger or a certified employee
authorizes the student to do so. Otherwise, devices shall be turned off during
regular school hours. (7:00 a.m.-2:30p.m.)
Students violating this prohibition, will be subject to the following disciplinary
action. 1st offense is a 3-school day confiscation; 2nd offense is a 10-day school
day confiscation; 3rd offense is for the remainder of the school year. In addition,
an administrator may confiscate the device, which shall only be returned to the
student or the student’s parent/guardian, as appropriate.
...
3. Students shall comply with any additional rules developed by the school
concerning appropriate use of telecommunication or other electronic devices.
4. Students shall not utilize a telecommunication or similar device in a manner
that would violate the district’s Acceptable Use Policy or procedures or its’ [sic]
Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline.
5
Similarly, Article I, Section 10 of the Kentucky Constitution guarantees the right to be free
from unreasonable search and seizure. As addressed together by both parties, the Court will
likewise consider these claims together.
6
(Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 3). The District’s written Search and Seizure Policy stated, in relevant
part:
REASONABLE SUSPICION
No pupil’s outer clothing, pockets, or his or her personal effects (e.g., handbags,
backpacks, etc.) shall be searched by authorized school personnel unless there are
reasonable grounds to believe the search will reveal evidence that the pupil has
violated or is violating either a school rule or the law. . . .
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
Searches of a pupil’s person or his or her personal effects shall only be conducted
by a certified person directly responsible for the conduct of the pupil or the
Principal/designee of the school which the student attends.
...
OTHER DISRUPTIVE ITEMS
Items which may be used to disrupt or interfere with the educational process may
be temporarily removed from the pupil’s possession by a staff member. Such
items may be returned to the pupil by the staff member or through the Principal’s
office.
(Pl.’s Resp. Def.’s Mot. Dismiss Ex. A, at 1).
Defendant argues that the Court should not reach the question of whether Plaintiffs have
a valid Fourth Amendment claim regarding the search of their phones, as the EHS Cell Phone
Policy did not violate the Fourth Amendment, since it only allowed confiscation of student cell
phones, not their search. (Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 6-8). The District avers that the Search and
Seizure Policy:
does not permit the independent and illegal conduct of Defendant
Goodlett. . . . [It] specifies a procedure for “disruptive items,” mirroring the
language of the [Cell Phone] Policy . . . . Again, even the Search and Seizure
Policy does not permit a search of cell phones or other items that disrupt the
educational process, but merely allows for the removal and/or seizure of those
items from a student’s possession.
7
(Def.’s Reply 2-3 (emphasis in original)).6
Making all reasonable inferences in favor of Plaintiffs, the Court finds that the two
policies, read together, could have led a teacher to believe he was permitted to search a student’s
cell phone if he had “reasonable grounds to believe the search [would] reveal evidence that the
pupil ha[d] violated . . . a school rule[,]” including EHS’s prohibition on cell phones being used
during school hours. Whether Goodlett’s actions were illegal or not does not alter the question
of whether the District’s policies, training, and supervision allowed him to take them. The Court
will deny Defendant’s motion as to Plaintiffs’ Section 1983 and Kentucky Constitutional claims
for unreasonable search and seizure.
B.
Title IX Claim
Under Title IX, no person shall “be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits
of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance” on the basis of his or her sex. 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a). “Title IX proscribes
gender discrimination [against employees and students] in education programs or activities
receiving federal financial assistance.” N. Haven Bd. of Educ. v. Bell, 456 U.S. 512, 514 (1982);
see also Neal v. Bd. of Trs. of Cal. State Univs., 198 F.3d 763, 766 (9th Cir. 1999) (“Title IX was
Congress’s response to significant concerns about discrimination against women in education.”
(citing Bell, 456 U.S. at 523-24 n.13)). The “recipient of federal funds may be liable in damages
under Title IX only for its own misconduct.” Davis v. Monroe Cty. Bd. of Educ., 526 U.S. 629,
640 (1999).
6
Defendant further contends that “Plaintiffs cannot prove that anyone other than Defendant
Goodlett searched their cell phones, nor can they prove that any other District employee knew
about Defendant Goodlett’s illegal conduct.” (Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 6). This argument
misunderstands the standard of review of a motion to dismiss, as the Court presumes all factual
allegations made in the Complaint are true. Total Benefits, 552 F.3d at 434 (citation omitted).
8
To establish a claim against an educational institution under Title IX, Plaintiffs must
establish a prima facie case showing that: 1) they were subjected to quid pro quo sexual
harassment or a sexually hostile environment; 2) an “appropriate person,” who was, at minimum,
a District official with authority to take corrective action and to end discrimination, had actual
notice; and 3) the District’s response “amount[ed] to deliberate indifference to discrimination.”
Gebser v. Lago Vista Indep. Sch. Dist., 524 U.S. 274, 290 (1989); Klemencic v. Ohio St. Univ.,
263 F.3d 504, 510 (6th Cir. 2001) (citation omitted).
Plaintiffs’ Complaint claims that Defendants’ conduct “constitutes discrimination and
harassment as contemplated and prohibited” under Title IX, which they would not have been
subjected to had they not been females, of which an “‘appropriate person’ at the [District] . . .
had actual knowledge[,]” and that the District “acted with deliberate indifference to known acts
of harassment and discrimination . . . prior to the acts” alleged.
(Compl. ¶¶ 44, 46-47).
Defendant argues, inter alia, that Plaintiffs’ failure to identify this “appropriate person” leads
Defendant to assume Plaintiffs refer to Goodlett, as “[n]one of the facts alleged in Plaintiffs’
Complaint point to any instance where any District employee (other than Defendant Goodlett)
had knowledge of the alleged ‘discrimination and harassment.’” (Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 9). The
District therefore contends that, as “the bad actor himself cannot qualify as ‘an appropriate
person’ for purposes of establishing a Title IX claim[,]” Plaintiffs’ Title IX claim must be
dismissed. (Def.’s Mot. Dismiss 9 (citing Escue v. N. Okla. Coll., 450 F.3d 1146, 1152 (10th
Cir. 2006))). Defendant’s argument ignores, however, Plaintiffs’ contention that:
[Goodlett’s actions,] in conducting searches of students’ cellular telephones . . .
were known to other administrators and personnel at EHS and were known, or
were so widespread as with reasonable diligence should have been known to the
[District] . . . and, thus, were consistent with, and pursuant to, a custom of
tolerance or acquiescence of such impermissible searches . . . .
9
(Compl. ¶ 65). Notwithstanding the irrelevant allegation regarding what “should have been
known,”7 when the factual allegations in the Complaint are assumed to be true, Plaintiffs have
alleged enough facts to allow the Court to draw the reasonable inference that the District is liable
for the misconduct alleged. The Court will therefore deny Defendant’s motion as to Plaintiffs’
Title IX claim.
V.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons outlined above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion to
Dismiss (DN 7, 14) is DENIED.
Greg N. Stivers, Judge
United States District Court
April 27, 2018
cc:
counsel of record
7
“Knew or should have known” is not the proper standard, as the prima facie requirement is
actual knowledge. Tumminello v. Father Ryan High Sch., Inc., 678 F. App’x 281, 286 (6th Cir.
2017).
10
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