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A 16-year-old student who was inappropriately touched by a classmate will receive nearly $60,000 under a proposed agreement
Patchogue-Medford schools have agreed to pay $90,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a student who said she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a classmate during school hours in March 2025.
Documents filed Wednesday in Suffolk County Supreme Court indicate that the district has signed off on a deal that would resolve claims brought by a 16-year-old girl who was “inappropriately touched by a fellow student on her breast and on her private area” while at Patchogue-Medford High School.
The incidents occurred while the students were in an in-school suspension (ISS) room supervised by a substitute teacher on March 10, 2025, according to the court documents.
The lawsuit named the school district as the defendant, along with five unnamed employees, alleging the assault occurred under the supervision of school staff at the high school on Buffalo Avenue in Medford. Greater Long Island is not identifying the girl, who was 16 at the time, because she is the victim of sexual assault.
UPDATE: The district issued a statement regarding the settlement agreement late Thursday afternoon, noting the substitute teacher assigned to supervise the ISS classroom resigned immediately.
“The Patchogue-Medford School District holds the safety and security of our students to be paramount,” the statement reads. “Following the alleged incident in March 2025, the substitute teacher assigned to supervise the classroom resigned immediately. The District continues to follow all necessary steps to maintain a safe educational environment for students.”
It’s unclear whether the student accused in the assault was disclipined.
Proposed agreement goes to the judge
Under proposed settlement’s terms, the school district’s insurer, New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal, will pay the $90,000 gross settlement amount.
After attorney fees of $30,000 and disbursements of about $1,500, the remaining $58,529.53 will be deposited into a bank account in Medford in the plaintiff”s benefit. The funds will be held in the account until she turns 18 in October 2026.
The proposed agreement is now in the hands of Suffolk Judge Carl Copertino.
Court records show the student suffered emotional trauma following the incident, including decreased appetite, interrupted sleep patterns, emotional distress and poor school attendance. She received professional therapy and was evaluated by a licensed social worker in March 2026.
The therapist said the student engaged in therapy following the assault and has since made improvements in emotional regulation skills, appetite and sleep patterns, court records show. The therapist concluded that the student has fully recovered from the emotional trauma with no residual injuries and will not require future treatment, court documents indicate.
The settlement agreement includes a general release discharging the defendants from further claims related to the March 2025 incident.
Top: Patchogue-Medford High School main entrance (Facebook).
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