Ex-Horizon student sues teacher after allegations

A former student is suing a teacher and administrators at Horizon High School in Thornton, claiming she got lesser grades — B’s and C’s instead of her customary A’s — after she reported numerous sexual harassment allegations against the teacher.

Jordan Boaz is seeking unspecified damages in U.S. District Court in Denver from teacher Eric England, principal Kim Brady, assistant principal Katie Romero and Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

“Mr. England was in a position of power as plaintiff’s teacher, in control of her grades and her future collegiate prospects — moreover her future,” the lawsuit says. He publicly harassed her in front of other students knowing his overly sexualized comments troubled her, it says.

The school district declined to comment, saying it will respond to the allegations in court.

The lawsuit accuses Brady and other school and district officials — including Romero, who is England’s sister — of largely disregarding his “outrageous” behavior.

The lawsuit recounts a litany of alleged abuses. In one incident, Boaz alleges that while she was taking England’s freshman English class, he began mimicking sex on his desk during a “Romeo and Juliet” discussion, the lawsuit says. Boaz’s mother reported the incident on Nov. 19, 2014.

England placed his hands on Boaz’s back and shoulders in an uncomfortable way at times over several years, the lawsuit claims. Once while Boaz was taking a test, England put a book on her desk and whispered, “If you like sex, you should read this,” the lawsuit says. On another occasion, England showed his literature class an animated video of two steaks having sex, the lawsuit says.

During an AP English Literature class in September 2017, the lawsuit alleges England described a rape scene in an Ernest Hemingway novel by saying, “It’s a little rough and gruff at first, and then maybe she starts to like it.” Boaz was so shocked she emailed Brady.

In a follow-up meeting with Brady, Boaz told the principal about prior sexual-themed discussions by England, but the principal failed to notify her parent as district policy dictated, the lawsuit says.

During Boaz’s sophomore year, England praised her as a role model, calling her “pleasant, intelligent and inspiring.” His opinion changed dramatically after she complained about his conduct, the lawsuit says.

In fall 2017, England told Boaz she was doing “splendidly” in class, but after she complained about his behavior, England began reporting her to Brady and district officials.

“Jordan’s lying, deceit, dissent and insubordination are intolerable,” England reportedly wrote to Horizon’s disciplinary deans, emphasizing that his sister, the assistant principal, had been notified.

England demoted Boaz, the school newspaper’s editor, and told her she was a bad leader, childish and “just not good,” the lawsuit says. England gave Boaz the first B and C she had ever received in school.

The district transferred Boaz to Legacy High School, five miles away, to take AP Literature so she wouldn’t have to be in England’s class, the lawsuit says.

It’s unclear whether England is still employed by the school.