Hinton Community School District and its officials face third trial over alleged abuse

LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU) — The Hinton Community School District (CSD) and some school officials are facing a third lawsuit over abuse within the school's wrestling program.

A student and his parents filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Plymouth County against the school district, former head wrestling coach Casey Crawford, assistant wrestling coach Bradley “Woody” Skuodas, Hinton Superintendent Ken Slater and former Hinton athletic director Brian DeJong. All four were employed by Hinton CSD at the time of the incidents detailed in the lawsuits.

This third trial makes allegations similar to those two more lawsuits filed in early April, accusing Crawford, Skuodas and DeJong of “encouraging” bullying, hazing and violence by students on the wrestling team. They also accuse the Hinton school district of being aware of it but failing to do anything about it.

The lawsuits cited incidents that occurred during two wrestling trips earlier this year. During a January 2024 college trip to Burke, Nebraska, some students went to a mall and purchased “sex items” such as dildos. The students then used these dildos on other students, including the student in the latest trial, and filmed the incident. The lawsuit also claims there was no supervision and that coaches were aware of the use of the sexual objects.

The lawyers of Defendants filed a response to the first two lawsuits saying they admitted to learning that the students “engaged in inappropriate behavior with the item.” During the trip, Skuodas overheard students talking about a dildo they potentially purchased while in a van. The response claims he checked students' bags but found none, telling students that if they had one he would call their parents.

They also denied there was “no surveillance, no room checks and no bag checks” during the trip. They also denied that the coaches knew about the sexual objects and their use before an investigation began after another trip to Coralville.

The defendant's response also addressed numerous other allegations contained in the first two lawsuits and found in the most recent lawsuit.

Like the first two lawsuits, this new lawsuit asserts that all defendants are responsible for the negligence and loss of consortium – or deprivation of the benefits of a family relationship – for each parent. The lawsuit also claims the school was negligent in training and supervising employees. The student and his parents are demanding a jury trial, requesting that a judgment be rendered at trial.

After the lawsuits were filed but before a response was filed, an attorney representing the defendants provided the statement below:

Although the District intends to zealously defend itself against the claims in these lawsuits, it is the District's policy not to comment on pending litigation, particularly when such litigation involves minor students of the District. Of course, this places the District and Administration at a significant disadvantage in the court of public opinion. So, we just want to remind your viewers that at this point, these are just allegations made in a lawsuit filed for monetary recovery. Additionally, while we recognize that these lawsuits have caused an unfortunate division within the Hinton School District community, the district's administration, faculty and staff want to assure the community that they continue to work tirelessly to enhance all academic and co-curricular programs to provide a positive and safe learning environment for the benefit of all students.

ATTORNEY TIMOTHY A. CLAUSEN OF KLASS LAW FIRM LLC

On February 14, 2024, Slater told KCAU 9 that two wrestling coaches had been placed on paid administrative leave. One of them was still on leave, while the other had returned to work. Two students were “reassigned” shortly afterward.

Slater later told KCAU 9 on Feb. 16 that the coach still on leave was Crawford. On March 18, Crawford officially resigned as head wrestling coach, although he also stated in his resignation letter that he hoped to continue teaching math at Hinton.

In early March, the Hinton School Board accepted the resignations of Grades 7-12 Principal Phil Goetstouwer and Grades 4-6 Principal/Athletic Director Brian DeJong.

School board members have since discussed possible changes to school trip policy, such as bag checks, printed itineraries and contact information.

This is an ongoing story. For the latest developments in this case, Click here.