Lawsuit against Sturgis schools will head to trial

A mediation session involving Sturgis Public Schools last week was unsuccessful, meaning the matter is now headed to a nine-day jury trial in January 2025.

An administrative law judge had previously found that Sturgis Public Schools denied the plaintiff’s disabled son a free and appropriate public education, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.

The boy’s parent filed federal litigation in May 2023 to remedy additional legal violations, including other special education failures, and disability and race discrimination.

The student, who is bi-racial and now 16 years old, has allegedly been the victim of repeated acts of race discrimination and harassment at school, which Sturgis has ignored, according to the lawsuit.

Attorney Jacquelyn Kmetz of Barger & Gaines said she is disappointed to not have reached a resolution amicably, but looks forward to the court case shedding light on the ways in which Sturgis Public Schools allegedly ignores its responsibilities.

Sturgis Public Schools officials declined to comment, as its policy is to not publicly discuss matters under litigation.