Link:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20050609-9999-1mi9poway.htmSnip: <By Dana Littlefield
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
June 9, 2005
A San Diego Superior Court jury found yesterday that two former Poway High School students were harassed by their classmates because they are homosexual and that the school district failed to address the situation immediately and appropriately.
After deliberating about a week, the jury determined that the harassment effectively deprived Joseph Ramelli and Megan Donovan of the same access to the educational opportunities and benefits that other students enjoy.
Ramelli and Donovan – now both 19 and attending Palomar College – were awarded $175,000 and $125,000 in damages, respectively.
"The money was never the important thing," attorney Paula Rosenstein said. "We're hoping that the next time some kids and their parents come to these administrators, that they will take a different action."
Poway Superintendent Don Phillips, one of three administrators named in the lawsuit, said in a news release that their lawyers have recommended an appeal. However, he said he is "heartened" that the jury found that there was no discrimination on the part of the school district or its employees.>