Academy for Sciences and Agriculture in Vadnais Heights Settles Sexual Harassment and Assault Case for $325,000
Vadnais Heights, Minnesota – The Academy for Sciences and Agriculture (AFSA) in Vadnais Heights has agreed to pay $325,000 to a former student who was sexually harassed and assaulted by a teacher during her ninth-grade year. The settlement comes after an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) found that the school district was aware of the teacher’s inappropriate interactions but failed to prevent the harassment and assault.
The teacher in question, Michael Bradley Wahlstedt, 29, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual assault in 2020. He was sentenced to six months in jail and must serve 15 years of probation, with a stayed sentence of three years in prison if he violates that probation.
According to court records, the harassment and assault occurred in 2019, and staff members at AFSA were aware of the teacher’s behavior but failed to intervene. The MDHR investigation revealed that the principal “failed to launch an investigation” and did not speak to the student or her parents, nor did they discipline the teacher. Although the principal did instruct the teacher to stay away from the student, reports from law enforcement and MDHR indicate that Wahlstedt did not comply and went on to sexually assault her.
In response to the settlement, AFSA released a statement asserting that they have always followed all applicable laws, including the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The school disagreed with the characterization of the investigation, the accusations of wrongdoing, and the conclusions drawn by the MDHR. They emphasized their commitment to taking all complaints of harassment or discrimination seriously and conducting thorough investigations.
The victim, who was 15 years old at the time of the assault, spoke out about her experience, stating that she trusted school staff to provide a safe environment but was let down. She urged other victims not to be intimidated and to demand action to protect themselves, emphasizing that the harm caused by such incidents is very real.
As part of the settlement agreement, AFSA is required to pay the victim $325,000. Additionally, they must provide training on creating a learning environment free from sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination to the school board, executive director, teachers, and volunteers. The school will also establish a digital system for reporting harassment and discrimination and ensure that district policies are followed, including requiring teachers to report problematic behavior and launching investigations into any reports of harassment, assault, or discrimination. AFSA is also obligated to inform parents of any reported incidents and report all complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination to the MDHR.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero commended the victim for her courage in coming forward and stressed the importance of schools taking proactive measures to prevent sexual harassment and assault. Lucero emphasized that such actions are not only morally right but also legally required.
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Man Rights Act, and that they take any allegations of harassment or assault seriously. They stated that they have implemented additional measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their students, including enhanced training for staff members on recognizing and responding to signs of abuse.
The Academy for Sciences and Agriculture is a school located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota that focuses on providing a comprehensive education in the fields of science and agriculture. The school aims to prepare students for careers in these industries and promote a strong foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects.
It is important to note that the settlement mentioned in the query is specific to the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture in Vadnais Heights. If there are any other subjects with the same name involved in sexual harassment or assault cases, they are not mentioned in the provided search results.
It is disheartening to hear about yet another case of a student being subjected to sexual harassment and assault by a trusted teacher. While the settlement provides some form of justice for the victim, it is important for educational institutions to implement stronger measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.