Schraufnagel Federal Lawsuit - John Roe

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 1 of 37

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
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JOHN ROE,
Plaintiff,
COMPLAINT
-against-
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT,

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CHAPPAQUA
CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, JOHN CHAMBERS,
Former Interim Superintendent, LYN MCKAY, Superintendent,
ANDREW SELESNICK, former Principal, ROBERT
RHODES, Principal, THOMAS CARDELLICHIO, former
Title IX Compliance Officer, PAUL CITARELLA, former
Title IX Compliance Officer and CHRISTOPHER
SCHRAUFNAGEL, former Teacher, in their official and
individual capacities.
PLAINTIFF DEMANDS
A TRIAL BY JURY
Defendants.
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Plaintiff JOHN ROE, by his attorneys, ASHER, GAUGHRAN LLP, respectfully alleges:
INTRODUCTION
1.
John Roe, a graduate of Horace Greeley High School (HGHS) in Chappaqua,
New York, was sexually and emotionally abused, and sexually harassed, by the high schools
theater teacher and Performing Arts Department Chairperson Christopher M. Schraufnagel
(Schraufnagel), over the course of five years. As a result of a pattern and practice of pervasive
sexual abuse against Plaintiff and at least six other HGHS students, Schraufnagel has been
charged by the Westchester County District Attorney with one felony count of third-degree
criminal sex act and six misdemeanor counts: two of endangering the welfare of a child and four
of third-degree sexual abuse.
2.
This activity took place from September 2010 through June 2015 at Defendant
Chappaqua Central School Districts Horace Greeley High School (HGHS), and in connection
with off-campus HGHS-sanctioned school activities.
3.
In addition, there are multiple legal actions and applications pending on behalf of
six other HGHS students against Schraufnagel and the Chappaqua Central School District in
New York State Supreme Court regarding this behavior. In each of these proceedings, the
plaintiffs are proceeding anonymously.
4.
The outrageous conduct of Schraufnagel includes, without limitation, subjecting
John Roe to sexual abuse on school grounds, routinely engaging in sexually explicit
conversations with his students, conducting alcohol and drug-fueled HGHS theater field trips to
New York City that included John Roe, and leading HGHS students on an international school
trip to Greece, during which these underage students, including John Roe, were directed by
Schraufnagel to engage in sexual encounters with the teacher and with one another.
5.
At all times alleged herein, all of the individual Defendants were acting under
color of state law.

6.
The years of abuse of Plaintiff John Roe were made possible by the willful
indifference of the Chappaqua Central School District (CCSD) to the well-being of its
students.
7.
For the pertinent time period, Schraufnagel was permitted, if not encouraged, by
the CCSD to create a wholly self-contained, unscrutinized world on the HGHS campus where
students were exposed to a steady stream of abusive and depraved behavior.
8.
Left entirely to his own devices, Schraufnagel constructed an unmonitored, cult-
like atmosphere where children were left to fend for themselves against his predations.
9.
Despite warnings and complaints that should have prompted investigation and
oversight, the CCSD let Schraufnagel preside over a drug-, sex- and alcohol-driven world
without adults, where children competed for their teachers approval by trying to outdo each
other in emulating their depraved teacher.
10.
The Districts willful indifference to John Roes right to attend school with his
bodily integrity intact, in an environment free of sexual harassment, led to the years of abuse by
Schraufnagel that he suffered as a HGHS student.
11.
John Roe brings the instant action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983, alleging that his
right to bodily integrity as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment was violated by all of the
Defendants. He further alleges that all Defendants violated his right to an equal treatment under
the law as guaranteed by the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. In addition,
he alleges sexual discrimination arising under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (Title IX).
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
12.
Jurisdiction is present under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 28 U.S.C. 1342.
13.
Venue is proper in the Southern District of New York pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
1965 (c) and 28 U.S.C. 1391(b), because the claims arose in this District and a number of the
Defendants reside in, transact business in, or maintain a principal place of business in
Westchester County.
PARTIES
14.
Plaintiff John Roe, an adult resident of Westchester County in the State of New
York, was born on September 14, 1995.
15.
At all times relevant to this Complaint, the Plaintiff resided in the hamlet of
Chappaqua, in the town of New Castle, New York, within the geographical boundaries of
the Defendants school district zone.
16.
John Roe attended the CCSDs schools from the second grade through the date of
his graduation in June 2013.

17.
From September 2009 through June 2013, the Plaintiff was a student attending
HGHS in the Chappaqua Central School District.

18.
Plaintiff is referred to by a pseudonym throughout this Complaint to preserve his
confidentiality. He was a minor at the time of the incidents complained of, and would be likely to
suffer harmful psychological and emotional consequences if he were forced to identify himself;
the litigation involves matters that are highly sensitive and of a personal nature; and the nature of
the charged acts is so extreme as to support sufficiently an interest in anonymity. There is no
prejudice to the Defendants as they have been independently notified of the true identity of the
Plaintiff.
19.
Defendant Chappaqua Central School District (CCSD or the District) was and
is a municipal corporation and local educational agency which maintains its principal place of
business at 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, New York 10514, in Westchester County.
20.
The CCSD is an educational institution receiving federal financial assistance as
defined in 20 U.S.C. 1681(c).

21.
At all times relevant to this Complaint, the CCSD owned, operated, controlled,
administered and maintained the HGHS, which is also located at 66 Roaring Brook Road,
Chappaqua, New York 10514, in Westchester County.
22.
At all times relevant to this Complaint, Defendant Board of Education of the
CCSD was and is a public benefit corporation, duly organized and existing by virtue of the laws
of the State of New York, which maintains its principal place of business at 66 Roaring Brook
Road, Chappaqua, New York 10514, in Westchester County.
23.
Pursuant to the New York Education Law 2503, the CCSD Board of
Education is charged with, inter alia: Prescrib[ing]such regulations and by-laws as may be
necessary to make effectual the provisions of this chapter and for the conduct of the
proceedings of said board and the transaction of its business affairs, for the general management,
operation, control, maintenance and discipline of the schools, and of all other educational, social
or recreational activities and other interests under its charge or direction.
24.
In this capacity, the CCSD Board of Education bears a fiduciary responsibility to
the CCSD, and is required to oversee the management of the District to ensure its assets are used
properly, that the schools policies comply with all relevant laws and regulations, and that these
policies are implemented at the school.
25.
Defendant John Chambers (Chambers) was the Interim Superintendent of the
CCSD from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2011, during the Plaintiffs ninth and tenth grade years at the
high school.
26.
As Interim Superintendent, Chambers was the chief executive officer of
Chappaqua Central School District, and was chiefly responsible for managing the day-to-day
operations of the CCSD. Chambers was responsible for developing administrative regulations to
implement the policies established by the Board of Education; for the overall planning, direction,
control and evaluation of District activities; and (according to the CCSD website) for managing
these activities aggressively and imaginatively so as to maintain and improve the quality of the
District through continuous school improvement initiatives.
27.
During his term, the Interim Superintendent was required to enforce all provisions
of laws, rules and regulations relating to the management of the CCSD, to operate and manage
the District, and manage the allocation of resources District-wide.
28.
Chambers had the authority to implement corrective measures on the CCSDs
behalf for violations of Title IX. His responsibilities included creating, implementing and
correcting policies under Title IX, to avoid and eliminate sexual harassment within the academic
and extra-curricular programs at the CCSD.
29.
Defendant Lyn McKay (McKay) was appointed the Superintendent of the
CCSD on July 1, 2011, commencing in the Plaintiffs eleventh grade year, and remains the
school superintendent to date.
30.
As Superintendent, McKay is the chief executive officer of the CCSD, and is
chiefly responsible for managing the day to day operations of the CCSD. McKay is responsible
for developing administrative regulations to implement the policies established by the Board of
Education; for the overall planning, direction, control and evaluation of District activities; and
(according to the CCSD website) for managing these activities aggressively and imaginatively
so as to maintain and improve the quality of the District through continuous school improvement
initiatives.
31.
Superintendent McKay is required to enforce all provisions of laws, rules and
regulations relating to the management of the CCSD, to operate and manage the school district,
and manage the allocation of resources District-wide.
32.
McKay had and continues to have the authority to implement corrective measures
on CCSDs behalf for violations of Title IX. Her responsibilities include creating, implementing
and correcting policies under Title IX, to avoid and eliminate sexual harassment within the
academic and extra-curricular programs at the CCSD.
33.
Defendant Andrew Selesnick (Selesnick) was appointed Principal of the
CCSDs HGHS on July 1, 2003 and served in that position through June 30, 2012, the end of
Plaintiffs eleventh grade year.
34.
From July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, Selesnick also served as the CCSDs
Title IX Compliance Officer.

35.
He currently serves as the Superintendent of the neighboring Katonah-Lewisboro
School District.
36.
In his role as HGHS Principal, Selesnick was the highest ranking District
employee in the high school. He was responsible for the safety of students and staff in his
building and supervised the high schools teachers and staff.
37.
Defendant Robert Rhodes (Rhodes) was appointed the Principal of HGHS on
July 1, 2012, and continues to serve the CCSD in that capacity to date.
38.
In his role as HGHS Principal, Rhodes is the highest ranking District employee in
the high school. He is responsible for the safety of students and staff in his building and
supervises the high schools teachers and staff.
39.
From July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, Thomas Cardellichio served as the
CCSDs Title IX Compliance Officer.

40.
From July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, Paul Citarella served as the CCSDs
Title IX Compliance Officer.
41.
From July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, Andrew Selesnick served as the
CCSDs Title IX Compliance Officer.

42.
As Title IX Compliance Officers from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015,
Selesnick, Cardellichio and Citarella were respectively responsible for ensuring that the CCSD
was in compliance with Title IXs administrative requirements; that they were each individually
knowledgeable about CCSDs policies and procedures on sex discrimination, and that the
CCSDs policies and procedures were drafted and revised to ensure their compliance with the
requirements of Title IX.
43.
Their responsibilities as Title IX Compliance Officers included educating the
school community on how to file a complaint alleging a violation of Title IX, investigating Title
IX complaints, working with law enforcement when necessary, and ensuring that complaints
were resolved promptly and appropriately to help prevent incidents from recurring or becoming
systemic problems.
44.
The CCSDs Title IX Compliance Officers also bear responsibility for assisting
the CCSD in developing a method to survey the school climate, and for coordinating the
collection and analysis of information from that survey.
45.
The CCSDs Title IX Compliance Officers are required to provide training and
technical assistance on school policies related to sex discrimination and develop programs, such
as school assemblies, on issues related to Title IX to ensure that all members of the school
community, including students and staff, are aware of their rights and obligations under Title IX,
and should regularly assess the adequacy of current training opportunities and programs and
propose improvements as appropriate.
46.
At all times relevant to this action, Defendant Christopher Schraufnagel was a
tenured speech and theater teacher at Defendant CCSDs high school.

THE CCSD GRANTED SCHRAUFNAGEL EXCLUSIVE,
UNSUPERVISED ACCESS TO YOUNG STUDENTS EVERY SCHOOL DAY,
AND ON MANY WEEKENDS, EVENINGS AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
47.
Schraufnagels misconduct was made possible by the carte blanche that was
irresponsibly granted to him by the District.

48.
During the relevant time period, Schraufnagel was granted complete autonomy by
the District, and was subject to virtually no supervision or oversight.

49.
Schraufnagel scheduled classes for Stagecraft, one of the classes he taught, after
school during weekdays, and every Saturday and Sunday. He routinely kept HGHS students in
his office and in the school theater throughout the weekend, and into the night.
50.
There was no supervision of these weekend classes, which frequently extended
from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays.

51.
CCSD janitors were directed by Schraufnagel to steer clear of the theater
department and refrain from cleaning the theater department area until late at night after the class
disbanded.
52.
While HGHS students worked on productions until late at night, their parents
were discouraged from entering the theater department.

53.
Upon information and belief, no CCSD administrators ever visited the theater
department on a weekend to observe what was going on during the Stagecraft classes.
54.
During these sequestered weekend classes, Schraufnagel would occasionally
direct his students to go off campus with him to the Quaker Hill Tavern, a bar/restaurant in
Chappaqua, where the teacher would drink alcoholic beverages with his meal in the presence of
these minors.
DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGELS BRAZENLY INAPPROPRIATE
PUBLIC CONDUCT WAS IGNORED BY THE DISTRICT
55.
Clear signs that oversight over Schraufnagel was needed were repeatedly ignored
by the CCSD administration.

56.
For example, Schraufnagel repeatedly insisted upon staging student theater
productions with patently inappropriate content.

57.
In the spring of 2010, Schraufnagel directed HGHS students in a production of the
play She Had Some Horses.

58.
Prior to the performance of the play, HGHS Principal Andrew Selesnick was
informed that it included an inappropriate orgy scene.

59.
Principal Selesnick determined that the scene was tasteful and should remain in
the play.
60.
The orgy scene upset many members of the audience.
61.
In April of 2011, another play directed by Schraufnagel provided a clear
indication that his sense of what was appropriate was impaired.

62.
The production of The Wedding Singer included a gratuitous scene in which
Schraufnagel directed a student to engage in a striptease.

63.
The audience was notably disturbed by this highly inappropriate performance, and
after the first night the scene was removed.

64.
Other plays selected by Schraufnagel to be performed at the high school included
Lysistrata (January 2012), Marat/Sade (January 2013), and Hair (April 2015), each of which
presented central themes of sex and drugs.
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65.
In March 2012, the HGHS Theatre Repertory Company, under the direction of
Schraufnagel, performed Six Degrees of Separation at the high school auditorium. The high
school production included a scene in which two student actors, one playing a male prostitute,
mimed the act of fellatio behind a screen.
66.
In November 2012, HGHS students under the direction of Schraufnagel
performed the musical Gypsy at the high school. It featured numerous scantily clad students
engaging in stripteases.
67.
In March 2013, the HGHS Theatre Repertory Company, under the direction of
Schraufnagel, performed Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a play in which jaded adults psychologically
and sexually corrupt minors.
68.
In May 2013, HGHS students, under the direction of Schraufnagel, performed
Psycho Beach Party at the high school. A central character is a girl with multiple personality
disorder; one of her persona is a dominatrix.
69.
These oddly lewd displays prompted no increased oversight or any other action by
the District.
70.
In a CCSD newsletter article about the HGHS Theatre Repertory Company,
Schraufnagel proclaimed, Im more drawn to the provocative; I think the students get more of
an experience that way.
71.
Upon information and belief, a math teacher with a son in one of Schraufnagels
theater classes complained repeatedly to Schraufnagel regarding the sexually-charged language

and imagery of these plays.
72.
Schraufnagel responded by taunting the teachers son repeatedly and publicly,
that, in words and effect, your dad is giving me a hard time.
11
73.
Indeed, these inappropriate productions provoked repeated complaints from
worried parents, who, upon information and belief, contacted school administrators to voice their
concern that their children were being exposed to such sexualized material.
74.
Upon information and belief, complaints from the community were shared with
Schraufnagel, who sneered at them and continued to cast his students, some as young as 14 years
old, in sexually suggestive productions.
75.
Though the themes of Schraufnagels productions persistently revolved around
sexual display, amoral behavior and perversity, upon information and belief at no time did
anyone in the District effectively investigate or respond to the teachers repeated, strenuous
efforts to scandalize the students and parents of Chappaqua.
SCHRAUFNAGEL WAS PERMITTED TO ESTABLISH
A CLOISTERED AND PERVERSE WORLD WHERE
STUDENTS VIED FOR HIS APPROBATION WHILE THE
ADMINISTRATION LOOKED AWAY
76.
At all times relevant to this claim, Schraufnagel engaged in outrageous
misconduct with absolute impunity as the HGHS theater teacher and Performing Arts
Department Chairperson, for which he was paid an additional stipend.
77.
Included in his responsibilities was the teaching of as many as three classes a
semester, as well as directing multiple theater productions during each school year.
78.
Schraufnagels students convened every day in his office, in his classes, and in the
auditorium, where, encouraged by their teacher, they would openly discuss sexual practices, and
drug and alcohol abuse.
79.
Schraufnagels office, known to students as the Schrauffice, was housed within
a wing of HGHS that included the auditorium and four classrooms.
12
80.
The Schrauffice was a pivotal social hub, and the center of high school life for
Schraufnagels many student acolytes, most but not all of whom were in theater classes or in the
Theatre Repertory Company.
81.
Unlike the Commons, the cafeteria, the library, or the courtyard of the high
school, where many HGHS students hung out during free periods, the Schrauffice was a
sequestered area where the initiated were encouraged to spend as much time as possible with
their predatory teacher.
82.
The Schrauffice was regularly crammed with as many as 12 or more students at a
time, who spent every lunch period and free class in the cramped room; some even cut classes to
be there.
83.
Special education aides periodically brought their disabled student charges to the
Schrauffice and left them there, under the mistaken impression that Schraufnagel would provide
a welcoming atmosphere for these students.
84.
Schraufnagel was displeased by the disabled students presence, and complained
bitterly to his regular protgs that they were unwanted.

85.
There were rarely any adults in the theater wing of HGHS other than Defendant
Schraufnagel, and music teachers Maureen Callam, H. Davis Knobloch and Raymond Lucia.
86.
These high school teachers repeatedly walked through groups of theater students
en route to their classrooms.

87.
As the teachers walked through the groups of students, they were exposed to
repeated, open discussions about drugs and sexual activities; the students also injected
obscenities into their conversations as much as possible.
13
88.
The content and tone of these repeated discussions clearly demonstrated a need
for appropriate investigation and adult supervision.

89.
Administrators, excepting occasionally Assistant Principals Michelle Glenn and
Michael Taylor, steered clear of the area, leaving Schraufnagel to provide a depraved version of
mentorship to the students who congregated there.
90.
In the theater department bathroom, students regularly inhaled drugs such as
Adderall.
91.
Students occasionally performed in Schraufnagels plays inebriated and under the
influence of illegal drugs.

92.
In fact, on one occasion, when John Roe told Schraufnagel in his office that he
was feeling anxious, the teacher gave him a tablet of the prescription tranquilizer, Klonopin. At
another time, he gave John Roe six of these tablets.
93.
During classes, Schraufnagel would routinely treat his students to stories of his
days as a drug dealer in New York City. He bragged, for example, that he made special blends
of the prescription drug Ketamine and other illegal substances to produce a recreational drug that
he sold to club-goers.
94.
Schraufnagel instructed his students as to how to smoke marijuana at HGHS; all
they needed to do was to go behind the building to a spot that he had designated as safe.
95.
Schraufnagel repeatedly drank alcohol at school, at times with students, and
carried a flask with him in a gym bag.

96.
Schraufnagel was arrested on a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in
Yonkers on November 30, 2013 after leaving a Friends of Greeley Theater fundraiser in
Armonk. New York.
14
97.
Schraufnagels drivers license was suspended for 90 days.
98.
During the time period that his license was suspended, he was driven between the
HGHS and the train station in Chappaqua by a team of students, openly entering and leaving
students cars in front of the school several times a day.
99.
Schraufnagel frequently spoke explicitly about sexual matters during class and to
the children assembled in his office.

100.
For example, on a number of occasions he told his classes about an experience he
had had as a little boy. He stated that he went to a friends house, where his friends older
brother displayed his genitalia wrapped in Saran Wrap and proceeded to rape a sleeping toddler.
101.
On another occasion he told his class that he slept with an old man who had a
wrinkly ass; Schraufnagel observed to his students that the man should work out more.
102.
He spoke constantly to the students about which of his male students he thought
were cute, who had the largest genitalia, and who in his classes engaged in sexual activity with
whom.
103.
Schraufnagel constantly prodded his students for details of the sex lives of his
male homosexual students.

104.
Schraufnagel periodically selected one of the homosexual male students in the
theater group as his appointed proto-gay, a play on the word protg.

105.
He regaled the students with tales of a former student who could ejaculate across
the room.
106.
He forced the children in his classes to conceive of themselves as sexual beings,
whether they were ready to do so, or not.
15
107.
Schraufnagel used harsh, sexualized language to harass HGHS students in a
variety of ways, which created a harassing, hostile and sexually charged atmosphere.
108.
He repeatedly identified and publicly ridiculed one student for what he claimed
was his excessively large posterior.

109.
He repeatedly, and publicly, labeled as homosexual several students who self-
identified as straight.
110.
The outrageous conduct of Schraufnagel includes, without limitation, routinely
having sexually explicit conversations with his students, providing his students, including John
Roe, with alcohol and cocaine, and illegal prescription drugs such as Klonopin, and compelling
his students to engage in sadistic and abusive games.
111.
These games included Trainwreck which required students to share their real or
created illicit drug histories.

112.
At his direction, they played Sick Secret Santa in which students were
encouraged to shoplift gifts or make them out of ingredients such as pubic hair, semen or feces.
113.
The product of those games, such as puppets and voodoo dolls crowned with wigs
constructed of pubic hair, lined the shelves in Schraufnagels office at HGHS, visible to the
casual observer.
114.
Students were encouraged by Schraufnagel to vie with one another in sharing
their sexual exploits and drug-related endeavors. Outrageousness was encouraged and rewarded
by his approbation.
115.
Students regularly utilized the catwalk above the auditorium stage to engage in
sexual activity, which they then recounted to Schraufnagel and their classmates.
116.
This wanton, destructive subculture was enabled by the indifference of the CCSD.
16
117.
Schraufnagel was frequently reviewed by HGHS students on RateMyTeacher, a
publicly accessible and widely known website that publishes anonymous teacher reviews.
118.
A public post dated June 14, 2004 reads, Schrauf is that rare teacher that is as fun
outside of class as he is in class. Don't be scared by his tantrums; it's just the diva in him shining
through.
119.
A public postdated September 1, 2010 reads I hate how he treats people makes
me scared to take something I have been doing since I was 5 he should have been fired by
now[.]
120.
Another public post, dated September 20, 2010 states: He is easy anyone can get
with him. Hes helpful in the way that hell always lend a hand (smiley face) hes as clear as
crystal meth, and the most popular girl in school by far.
121.
These readily accessible postings on RateMyTeacher, which remain online to this
date, apparently triggered no additional oversight of this teacher.

FREQUENT FIELD TRIPS TO NEW YORK CITY
WERE FUELED BY DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
122.
Schraufnagel organized numerous after school field trips to New York City
theater productions which included John Roe and other students from the Theater Repertory
Company during the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013 school years.
123.
Schraufnagel conducted all the organizational meetings for the New York City
field trips during school hours, on the school grounds of the Defendant CCSD.
124.
Tickets for these field trips were purchased by John Roes parents directly from
HGHS.
17
125.
These trips inevitably involved John Roe and other students drinking and taking
drugs, often while travelling on the train from Chappaqua into the City, and with their teacher at
dinner.
126.
No chaperones or adults other than Schraufnagel attended these outings, which
were only available to HGHS students

127.
Between November and December 2012, Schraufnagel took his students to see
Mies Julie at the St. Anns Warehouse in Brooklyn. Before the performance, Schraufnagel
gave cocaine to John Roe.
128.
During the 2012-2013 school years, there was one field trip to see Whos Afraid
of Virginia Woolf? and another to see Sleep No More.

129.
Schraufnagel and his students, including John Roe, drank alcohol and became
inebriated during both of these outings.

130.
In the spring of 2013, Schraufnagel took the students to a production of
Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

131.
During this trip, Schraufnagel ate firecrackers, a form of edible marijuana
snack, with John Roe and other students, some of whom became so intoxicated that they vomited
and passed out from dehydration.
132.
The New York City theater field trips were an integrated component of the HGHS
curriculum. Schraufnagel led class-time discussions back at the high school about specifics,
such as the production values, of the plays they had travelled to see.
133.
Schraufnagels unfettered, wholly unsupervised access to his minor students at the
empty high school on weekends, in New York City on weeknights, and abroad on holiday
breaks, was permitted by the CCSD administration for years.
18
134.
Predictably, things went terribly wrong within the cloistered world of the HGHS
performing arts department.

THE FIRST SEXUAL ASSAULT
135.
It was at HGHS during one of the day-long Stagecraft classes over a weekend that
Schraufnagel first sexually assaulted John Roe.

136.
This first sexual assault of John Roe occurred between May 1, 2011 and June 24,
2011, on the catwalk area above the auditorium, when Schraufnagel insisted that it was time
for the 15-year-old to hook up with him.
137.
John Roe tried to stave off his advances, but the 36-year-old teacher insisted that
it happen now and brought him to the catwalk above the HGHS theater stage.
138.
On the catwalk, Schraufnagel pushed John Roe to his knees and directed the
frightened 15-year-old student to perform oral sex upon him. The two then rejoined the nearby
students in the auditorium.
139.
After this assault, John Roe stayed away from Schraufnagel and the theater
department for more than a week but then returned.

140.
Upon his return, Schraufnagel told him, in words and effect, you are just like
Student Y because he would go away sometimes, but always came back.

141.
Over the next two years, John Roe was involved in a coercive romantic and
sexual relationship in which Schraufnagel dominated his thoughts, feelings and academic
choices.
142.
As a control mechanism, Schraufnagel texted John Roe repeatedly every day and
insisted that he respond to his texts immediately.
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143.
Schraufnagel encouraged John Roe to hate his parents, and frequently insisted that
he was the only adult able to take care of him, in contrast to John Roes own parents whom he
characterized as uncaring and homophobic.
144.
Schraufnagel reported to John Roe that this was not his first relationship with a
student.
145.
In fact, Schraufnagel reported to John Roe that he had had sex with several other
HGHS students before him.

146.
For example, he stated that he had had sex with one HGHS student in the sound
booth near in the auditorium on the day of the students graduation in 2010.
THE SECOND SEXUAL ASSAULT
147.
Between February 17, 2012 and February 25, 2012, when John Roe was 16 years
old, Schraufnagel took him and approximately nine other HGHS theater students to Greece for a
HGHS-sanctioned theater trip.
148.
The trip to Greece was planned by Schraufnagel with his theater students entirely
during class time, on the premises of the high school, and was wholly integrated into the
curriculum.
149.
In fact, the entire school year curriculum taught by Schraufnagel leading up and
following the trip to Greece consisted of ancient Greek plays to prepare the students for what
they would see in Greece and to enable them to reflect afterwards on what they had seen during
this field trip.
150.
During this trip, Schraufnagel drank alcohol every night to the point of
inebriation, and encouraged all of the students, including John Roe, to do so as well.
20
151.
One night during the trip to Greece, Schraufnagel instructed John Roe and another
HGHS student to come to his hotel room.

152.
Schraufnagel plied both students with vodka, and they became inebriated.
153.
Schraufnagel pulled the other students pants off of him, and performed oral sex
on him. He then directed John Roe to do the same.

154.
John Roe complied, while Schraufnagel watched.
155.
When the other student left the hotel room, Schraufnagel urged John Roe to have
sex with him.

156.
John Roe declined and left the hotel room.
157.
John Roe describes this event as the lowest moment of his life.
158.
The repeated sexual abuse to which John Roe was subjected by Schraufnagel was
made possible by the pattern and practice of the CCSD, the Board of Education of the CCSD,
Chambers, McKay, Selesnick, Rhodes, Cardellichio and Citarella (the CCSD Defendants) of
failing to exercise a minimal level of oversight over Schraufnagels interactions with its students,
failing to respond to clear notice that more scrutiny was needed, and of failing to train its
employees and students as to when and how to report the sexual abuse of its students by one of
its teachers to school district authorities.
159.
Indeed, the CCSD Defendants, with willful indifference to the safety of its
students, permitted Schraufnagel to create a wholly unsupervised sphere of immunity within

HGHS where he was free to subject his students to years of sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse
and sexual harassment.
21
JOHN ROE GRADUATED FROM HGHS BUT RETURNED

TO WORK FOR DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGEL
160.
John Roe graduated from HGHS in June 2013 and matriculated at a prestigious
college in the fall of 2013.

161.
Damaged from years of emotional and sexual abuse and still in Schraufnagels
thrall, he returned to HGHS to help direct theater productions in the spring of 2014 and 2015.
162.
These were paid positions, arranged under the aegis of BOCES and authorized by
the CCSD.
163.
They were initiated by Schraufnagel, who enjoyed unfettered discretion to hire
whomever he wished.
164.
During the 2014-2015 school year, John Roe determined that he could not
continue at his college.

165.
Although he is a strong student, the lingering effects of years of sexual and
emotional abuse by Schraufnagel left him unable to negotiate the social and interpersonal
demands of the college.
166.
In the Spring of 2015, John Roe applied to transfer to an isolated and socially
non-demanding college with an extremely small student body located in a remote area more than
25 miles over mountain passes from the nearest town.
167.
John Roe finds this school less socially threatening than his previous college.
AFTER YEARS OF INACTION BY THE CCSD, JOHN ROE
FORCED DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGEL TO RESIGN
168.
In the spring of 2015, John Roe returned to the CCSD to assist with the HGHS
Theatre Repertory Companys SpringFest.
22
169.
John Roes time away from the CCSD had provided him with perspective on the
perverted and insular society Schraufnagel had been permitted to establish at the HGHS campus.
170.
In June of 2015, John Roe came to the realization that he had been sexually
harassed and abused by Schraufnagel throughout his years as a HGHS student.

171.
In addition, he began to see indications that Schraufnagels sexually predatory
behavior was continuing unchecked towards other HGHS students.

172.
During his work on the SpringFest plays in 2015, John Roe repeatedly witnessed
Schraufnagels attempts to groom current HGHS students, and feared that they, too, were being
subjected to sexual abuse.
173.
Schraufnagel discussed one younger student with John Roe during this time
period, telling him, in words and effect, hes the new you, which John Roe understood to mean
that the teacher intended to develop that student into his newest proto-gay.
174.
Horrified by his belief that more students would be subjected to the same abuse he
had suffered for years, and lacking any confidence that the District would do anything to stop the
pattern that they had long tolerated, the 19-year-old young man decided to take action to stop
Schraufnagel from teaching.
175.
John Roe decided to confront the teacher in a public place, for safety reasons.
176.
John Roe initially intended to confront Schraufnagel on Wednesday, June 10,
2015, but delayed doing so when he learned that Schraufnagel was drunk at school during the
school rehearsal. He feared confronting the teacher while he was in that state.
177.
The following afternoon, on Thursday, June 11, 2015, John Roe arranged to meet
Schraufnagel at a restaurant in Pleasantville, Michaels, accompanied by his friend, former

HGHS student Jane Roe.
23
178.
Shaking and crying, John Roe told the 40-year-old teacher that he was a pedophile
and a monster, and asked him how could you do this to me?
179.
Schraufnagel ordered him to not use that word [pedophile], and insisted that it
was only you.

180.
John Roe told him that he was lying, and that he would not let him to do this to
anyone else.
181.
He demanded that Schraufnagel resign his teaching position or he would report
him to the police.

182.
John Roes aim was to ensure that Schraufnagel never again went near children,
and never again worked in a school. He told him, in words and effect, I will be watching you.
183.
Schraufnagel agreed to resign.
184.
The teacher complained that he felt like he was losing his family, and then
asked if they could remain friends and talk to one another. John Roe answered that he would
never see him again.
185.
Schraufnagel left them and returned to the high school.
186.
Concerned about the welfare of Schraufnagels current students, John Roe
returned to Chappaqua and met with several of them.

187.
One student immediately confirmed that he had been abused. He asked John Roe
to come home with him to help him describe the abuse to his parents, which Roe agreed to do.
188.
Meanwhile, Schraufnagel told his students that he was resigning. They were
shocked by this news.

189.
The last night of CCSDs SpringFest, scheduled for June 12, 2015, was abruptly
cancelled with no public explanation.
24
190.
On June 15, 2016, Schraufnagel went on paid leave from his position at the
CCSD.
191.
On June 16, 2015, John Roe reported the facts of his abuse by Schraufnagel to the
New Castle Police Department.

192.
On July 30, 2016, HGHS Principal Rhodes emailed John Roes parents, asking to
meet with them.

193.
Principal Rhodes email stated, We started down the path we are all on because
of one persons bravery. We have a real chance to ensure student safety and welfare going
forward.
194.
John Roes parents declined to meet with Principal Rhodes.
195.
On September 4, 2016, Schraufnagel submitted his resignation, which was
accepted by the District.

DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGEL IS ARRESTED
196.
On October 25, 2015, Schraufnagel was arrested by the New Castle Police
Department, and charged with one felony count of third-degree criminal sex act and six
misdemeanor counts: two of endangering the welfare of a child and four of third-degree sexual
abuse, based on the complaints of three victims.
197.
The criminal complaint stated, inter alia, that all of the three victims were 15 at
the time of the alleged misconduct.

198.
All of the criminal acts charged occurred at HGHS. The charged activity took
place from May 1, 2011 and June 5, 2015 at HGHS, and in connection with HGHS-sanctioned
school activities.
25
199.
According to the criminal complaint, From May 1, 2011 to June 5, 2015, the
Defendant, a former speech and drama teacher at HGHS in Chappaqua, New York, engaged in
numerous instances of sexual assault, inappropriate sexual conduct and contact with a total of
three underage students of the school. Between May 1, 2011, and June 24, 2011, the
Defendant engaged in oral sexual conduct with a then fifteen-year-old student of the school
inside the school. Between December 1, 2014, and December 25, 2014, the Defendant
asked a student at HGHS at the time to participate in a slideshow kissing every student in one of
Defendants classes while the Defendant took pictures. The next day, another student of the
Defendant was directed by the Defendant to have the same victim kiss additional male and
female students while being photographed. Thereafter, the Defendant publicly displayed the
slideshow to one of his classes full of students in an attempt to humiliate the students.
Between October 1, 2014 and June 5, 2015, the Defendant had a number of instances of
inappropriate conversations with strong sexual overtones and sexual contact with another student
of the school.
200.
Schraufnagel was charged with one E Felony, which is a third-degree criminal sex
act. It was described as follows: Between May 1, 2011 and June 24, 2011, the Defendant
engaged in oral sexual conduct with a then fifteen-year-old student of the school inside the
school.
201.
That student was John Roe.
PENDING NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT CASES BROUGHT BY

STUDENTS AGAINST DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGEL AND THE CCSD
202.
There are currently multiple civil cases and court applications concerning six
minor HGHS students pending in New York Supreme Court regarding Schraufnagels
misconduct, including Anonymous Student #4 et al. v. Chappaqua Central School District et al.,
26
Index No. 057576/2016; J.L. et al. v. Chappaqua Central School District et al., Index No.
060109/2016, and Mary Doe et al. v. Chappaqua Central School District et al., Index No.
61489/2016.
THE CCSD DEFENDANTS RECEIVED NOTICE OF SCHRAUFNAGELS
ABUSE OF STUDENTS ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS
203.
In one of the state cases filed in New York Supreme Court, entitled Mary Doe, et
al. v. Chappaqua Central School District, et al., Index No. 61489/2016, the childs mother has
submitted a sworn affidavit which includes the following allegation: Principal Rhodes also
informed me that in 2011 there were accusations made about Mr. Schraufnagel similarly abusing
a student at HGHS. I understand that rather than referring those allegations to the police
department the Chappaqua Central School District chose to keep it quiet and do their own
investigation. We are not privy to the scope of that investigation or to the findings. However,
we do know that no actions were taken against Mr. Schraufnagel between 2011 and 2015.
204.
In addition, in or about the late fall of 2011, Schraufnagel told John Roe that he
was worried about a legal problem involving an HGHS student.

205.
Either of these reports of misconduct by Schraufnagel against his students should
have prompted an investigation. There is no indication that the CCSD Defendants conducted an
effective investigation or took any remedial action on the basis of their awareness of the sexual
abuse might have occurred.
206.
Had the District properly conducted a minimally competent investigation of either
of these complaints, John Roe could have been spared the two instances of sexual abuse and
years of emotional abuse to which he was subjected by Schraufnagel.
207.
Upon information and belief, multiple CCSD students had been abused by
Schraufnagel by the time John Roe was first assaulted.

27
208.
Schraufnagel continued his perverted, unfettered reign at HGHS until John Roe
forced him to stop.

THE CCSD DEFENDANTS FAILED TO PROMULGATE A TITLE IX
POLICY THAT WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TITLE IX STATUTE
209.
On information and belief, no one at the CCSD ever provided John Roe, his
fellow students, or teachers and staff at the school with any training on the scope or purpose of
Title IX, information regarding appropriate behavior by CCSD teachers towards their students,
training on how this teachers behavior constituted sexual and emotional harassment, or
information on how to report harassing behavior.
210.
No one at the CCSD ever formally or informally provided John Roe the name or
contact information of any Title IX Compliance Officer, or any other individual responsible for
addressing claims of harassment at the CCSD.
211.
Upon information and belief, the CCSD and its Board of Education have never
promulgated a Title IX policy which adequately complies with the Title IX statute.
212.
The CCSDs Title IX policy, as promulgated by the CCSD Board of Education
was last revised in 1991.

213.
The CCSD Title IX policy fails to describe in any fashion what Title IX is, and
does not offer any means for redress of a Title IX violation.

214.
The CCSD Defendants failed to promulgate a Title IX policy that was in
compliance with Title IX's requirements regarding notice, training and procedures for a prompt
and equitable response to complaints of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
215.
The CCSD Defendants displayed deliberate indifference to the safety of their
students by failing to provide the training or guidance that is obviously necessary for
implementation of a specific program or policy in compliance with Title IX.
28
CHAPPAQUA RESPONDS TO THE SCANDAL

216.
This scandal has roiled the hamlet of Chappaqua and engendered a wide range of
responses from the community.

217.
For example, New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein, when asked about
the Schraufnagel case at a town forum, stated, The schools are our biggest industry. Whether
you have kids in the schools or not, thats what maintains our property values. We need to be
there to support [the schools] and not get in the way.
218.
One day after Schraufnagels resignation, the Defendant CCSD accepted a
proposal from a Manhattan-based public relations firm Marathon Strategies, which included
advice to consider how it will explain to the media, parents and students that it acted swiftly and
responsibly to the allegations and demonstrate that student safety is its top priority.
219.
The CCSD hired Marathon Strategies at rate of $15,500.00 per month.
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION:

AGAINST DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGEL FOR
VIOLATION OF 42 U.S.C. 1983 THE RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY
220.
Plaintiff repeats and realleges paragraphs 1 through 219, above.
221.
Defendant Schraufnagel, acting under color of state law violated John Roes right
to bodily integrity as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
by subjecting him to repeated instances of sexual harassment and sexual abuse within the school
building and during a school-sanctioned field trip.
222.
Schraufnagel further violated John Roes right to bodily integrity while acting
under color of state law by repeatedly providing the minor with narcotics, prescription drugs and
alcohol and encouraging John Roe to take said intoxicants in school and during schoolsanctioned activities.
29
223.
As a direct and proximate result of Defendant Schraufnagels actions, Plaintiff
suffered damages, including without limitation emotional trauma, mental anguish and suffering,
impairment of reputation, and personal humiliation.
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION:
AGAINST DEFENDANT SCHRAUFNAGEL FOR VIOLATION OF
42 U.S.C. 1983 THE RIGHT TO EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW
224.
225.
Schraufnagel, acting under color of state law, treated John Roe, a homosexual
student, differently than his heterosexual or perceived to be heterosexual students.

226.
Schraufnagel targeted, groomed, sexually harassed and sexually abused John Roe
based on John Roes perceived sexual orientation.

227.
Schraufnagel violated John Roes right to attend public school free of sexual
harassment and sexual abuse.

228.
Schraufnagel violated John Roes right to be treated equally to the students that
the teacher perceived to be heterosexuals, as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the

United States Constitution.
229.
As a direct and proximate result of Defendant Schraufnagels actions, Plaintiff
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION:
AGAINST CCSD DEFENDANTS FOR VIOLATION OF 42 U.S.C. 1983
RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY FAILURE TO SUPERVISE
230.
Plaintiff repeats and realleges paragraphs 1 through 229.
231.
The CCSD, Board of Education of CCSD, Chambers, McKay, Selesnick, Rhodes,
Cardellichio and Citarella, (the CCSD Defendants), in their individual and official capacities,
30
acting under color of state law, violated John Roes right to bodily integrity as guaranteed by the
Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
232.
The CCSD Defendants custom and practice of failing to supervise Defendant
Schraufnagel in his interactions with students proximately caused John Roes injuries.
233.
The CCSD Defendants wholly abnegated their responsibility to exercise
appropriate supervision of Defendant Schraufnagel in his interactions with their minor students.
234.
Despite indications that supervision was required, the CCSD Defendants failed to
respond with the oversight required by common sense and minimal concern for the welfare of
their students.
235.
The CCSD Defendants inadequate supervision of Defendant Schraufnagel in his
interaction with HGHS students, and with John Roe, constitutes deliberate indifference to the
right of John Roe to maintain his bodily integrity as a student at HGHS as guaranteed by the
Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION:
RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY - FAILURE TO TRAIN
236.
237.
The CCSD Defendants, acting under color of state law, violated John Roes right
to bodily integrity as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States

Constitution.
238.
The CCSD Defendants custom and practice of failing to train its staff and
students as set forth below proximately caused John Roes injuries.
31
239.
The CCSD Defendants failed to train its staff at HGHS to recognize and report on
clear indications that Defendant Schraufnagel was engaging in inappropriate conduct and needed
additional oversight in his interactions with students.
240.
The CCSD Defendants failed to train its students to recognize and report on
abusive, inappropriate conduct by adult staff against them.

241.
By failing, as a custom and practice, to train both staff and students as to how to
recognize and report sexual harassment and sexual abuse of students by teachers to District
authorities, the CCSD Defendants acted with deliberate indifference to John Roes right to attend
public school with his bodily integrity intact as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the
United States Constitution.
242.
As a direct and proximate result of the CCSD Defendants actions, Plaintiff
FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION:
RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE
243.
244.
The CCSD Defendants, acting under color of state law, violated John Roes right
to bodily integrity as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United State Constitution
by failing to investigate earlier reports that Schraufnagel behaved inappropriately with his
students.
245.
In or about the late fall of 2011, Schraufnagel told John Roe that he was worried
about a legal problem involving an HGHS student.
32
246.
In addition, in a recent affidavit filed in a New York State Supreme Court case
arising out of Schraufnagels sexual abuse of students, it is alleged by a parent of an HGHS

student that the current HGHS Principal notified her that in 2011 there had been accusations
made about Schraufnagel similarly abusing another student at the high school.
247.
Had either or both of these reports of misconduct been competently investigated,
Schraufnagels widespread, chronic abuse of his students would have been discovered and
stopped.
248.
Instead, the CCSD Defendants, with willful indifference to the rights of its
students to attend public school free of sexual harassment, exposure to drugs and alcohol and
sexual abuse, failed to properly investigate the claims of Schraufnagels misconduct.
249.
The CCSD Defendants failure to investigate claims of Schraufnagels
misconduct with his students proximately caused the years of sexual harassment and abuse that
John Roe suffered at the hands of Defendant Schraufnagel, in violation of his right to bodily
integrity as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
250.
As a direct and proximate result of the CCSD Defendants actions and inactions,
Plaintiff suffered damages, including without limitation, emotional trauma, mental anguish and
suffering, impairment of reputation and humiliation.
SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION:
AGAINST THE CCSD DEFENDANTS: FOR VIOLATION OF 42 U.S.C. 1983
RIGHT TO EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW
251.
252.
Defendant Schraufnagel was widely known to be homosexual by the CCSD
community.
33
253.
The CCSD Defendants, acting under color of state law, adopted a custom and
practice of referring students it perceived as homosexual to Schraufnagel for classes, counsel and
support.
254.
This custom and practice subjected homosexual and perceived to be homosexual
students, including John Roe, to different treatment than that accorded to heterosexual and
perceived to be heterosexual students.
255.
This custom was repeated over the course of years and practiced by the CCSD
Defendants who were or are municipal policy makers, including Defendants CCSD Board of
Education, Interim Superintendent Chambers, Superintendent McKay, Principal Selesnick,
Principal Rhodes, and Title IX Compliance Officers Citarella, Cardellichio, and Selesnick,
256.
Having funneled these homosexual and perceived to be homosexual students to
Schraufnagel, the CCSD Defendants then, as a matter of custom and practice, utterly failed to
exercise the most minimal level of supervision and scrutiny of Schraufnagels conduct, despite
repeated indications that supervision was necessary.
257.
The CCSD Defendants permitted Schraufnagel unparalleled control over and
access to his students, including weekend-long classes without any other adults present, trips to
New York City with no chaperones, and trips overseas with inadequate supervision.
258.
As a result of these practices, homosexual or perceived to be homosexual
students, including John Roe, were rendered uniquely vulnerable to Schraufnagels predations.
259.
34
SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION:

AGAINST THE CCSD AND THE CCSD BOARD OF EDUCATION
FOR VIOLATION OF JOHN ROES RIGHTS UNDER TITLE IX
260.
261.
The CCSD is a recipient of federal funding under Title IX.
262.
From in or about September 1, 2003 through and including on or about September
2015, CCSD employed Schraufnagel as a speech and theater teacher.

263.
Schraufnagel harassed Plaintiff based on his sex by, without limitation, subjecting
Plaintiff to sexual comments, pressure and abuse.

264.
Schraufnagels sexual harassment of Plaintiff was sufficiently severe and
pervasive to create what a reasonable person would consider a hostile environment in the CCSD.
265.
Schraufnagels sexual harassment of Plaintiff undermined and detracted from
Plaintiffs equal access to the CCSDs institutional resources and/or opportunities. Furthermore,
Schraufnagels harassment had a concrete, negative effect on Plaintiffs ability to participate in
CCSDs educational opportunities.
266.
Plaintiff in fact found the environment created by Schraufnagels sexual
harassment to be hostile and abusive.

267.
The CCSD Defendants had actual notice of Schraufnagels sexual harassment by
virtue of the 2011 complaint reported by Rhodes, which included allegations of Schraufnagel
similarly abusing a student.
268.
Upon information and belief, further actual notice had been provided by a prior
legal issue concerning Schraufnagel and a HGHS student.

269.
The CCSD Defendants, as recipients of Title IX funds, had a duty to deter the risk
of further sexual harassment by Schraufnagel.
35
270.
The CCSD Defendants had the authority to implement corrective measures and
policies on behalf of CCSD.

271.
The CCSD Defendants acted with deliberate indifference to the harassment by,
without limitation, failing to sufficiently investigate repeated episodes of sexual harassment and
to take adequate measures, such as adopting appropriate policies, to stop future such misconduct
against its students.
272.
impairment of reputation, personal humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, medical costs,
economic loss and alienation both academically and socially from school activities.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays that judgment be entered:
I.
On the First Cause of Action, under 42 U.S.C. 1983, awarding Plaintiff damages
in an amount to be determined at trial, including without limitation, compensatory damages,

punitive damages, damages due to emotional distress, attorneys fees and reasonable costs;
II.
On the Second Cause of Action, under 42 U.S.C. 1983, awarding Plaintiff
damages in amount to be determined at trial, including without limitation, compensatory

damages, punitive damages, damages due to emotional distress, attorneys fees and reasonable
costs;
III.
On the Third Cause of Action, under 42 U.S.C. 1983, awarding Plaintiff

damages, damages due to emotional distress, attorneys fees and reasonable costs;
36
IV.
On the Fourth Cause of Action, under 42 U.S.C. 1983, awarding Plaintiff

V.
On the Fifth Cause of Action, under 42 U.S.C. 1983, awarding Plaintiff

VI.
On the Sixth Cause of Action, under 42 U.S.C. 1983, awarding Plaintiff

VII.
On the Seventh Cause of Action, under Title IX, awarding Plaintiff damages in
amount to be determined at trial, including without limitation, compensatory damages, damages

due to emotional distress, attorneys fees and reasonable costs;
VIII.
On the above stated causes of action, awarding the Plaintiff prejudgment interest,
costs and such other further relief as this Court deems appropriate.
Dated: Armonk, New York
September 12, 2016
ASHER, GAUGHRAN LLP
By: ________/s/__________________
Julie Gaughran (JG 6790)
Asher, Gaughran LLP
4 MacDonald Avenue
Armonk, New York 10504
(914) 273-3187
37

Schraufnagel Federal Lawsuit - John Roe

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Schraufnagel Federal Lawsuit - John Roe

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What were the allegations made against Christopher Schraufnagel?

What were the allegations made against Christopher Schraufnagel?

What legal actions were taken against Schraufnagel and the school district?

What legal actions were taken against Schraufnagel and the school district?

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 1 of 37

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT,

John Roe, a graduate of Horace Greeley High School (HGHS) in Chappaqua,

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 2 of 37

The outrageous conduct of Schraufnagel includes, without limitation, subjecting

color of state law.

Left entirely to his own devices, Schraufnagel constructed an unmonitored, cult-

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 3 of 37

Jurisdiction is present under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 28 U.S.C. 1342.

Venue is proper in the Southern District of New York pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

York, was born on September 14, 1995.

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 4 of 37

his graduation in June 2013.

HGHS in the Chappaqua Central School District.

Plaintiff is referred to by a pseudonym throughout this Complaint to preserve his

The CCSD is an educational institution receiving federal financial assistance as

defined in 20 U.S.C. 1681(c).

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 5 of 37

At all times relevant to this Complaint, Defendant Board of Education of the

In this capacity, the CCSD Board of Education bears a fiduciary responsibility to

Defendant John Chambers (Chambers) was the Interim Superintendent of the

As Interim Superintendent, Chambers was the chief executive officer of

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 6 of 37

Chambers had the authority to implement corrective measures on the CCSDs

Defendant Lyn McKay (McKay) was appointed the Superintendent of the

As Superintendent, McKay is the chief executive officer of the CCSD, and is

Superintendent McKay is required to enforce all provisions of laws, rules and

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 7 of 37

Defendant Andrew Selesnick (Selesnick) was appointed Principal of the

Title IX Compliance Officer.

He currently serves as the Superintendent of the neighboring Katonah-Lewisboro

Defendant Robert Rhodes (Rhodes) was appointed the Principal of HGHS on

CCSDs Title IX Compliance Officer.

Title IX Compliance Officer.

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 8 of 37

CCSDs Title IX Compliance Officer.

Their responsibilities as Title IX Compliance Officers included educating the

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 9 of 37

At all times relevant to this action, Defendant Christopher Schraufnagel was a

tenured speech and theater teacher at Defendant CCSDs high school.

irresponsibly granted to him by the District.

the District, and was subject to virtually no supervision or oversight.

There was no supervision of these weekend classes, which frequently extended

from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays.

CCSD janitors were directed by Schraufnagel to steer clear of the theater

were discouraged from entering the theater department.

During these sequestered weekend classes, Schraufnagel would occasionally

Case 7:16-cv-07099-VB Document 3 Filed 09/13/16 Page 10 of 37

by the CCSD administration.

For example, Schraufnagel repeatedly insisted upon staging student theater

productions with patently inappropriate content.

In the spring of 2010, Schraufnagel directed HGHS students in a production of the

play She Had Some Horses.

informed that it included an inappropriate orgy scene.

The orgy scene upset many members of the audience.