Portales schools lawsuit still in preliminary stages

A lawsuit filed against Portales Municipal Schools is still in its preliminary stages according to the state courts files.

Portales schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain said the agency that insures the school system, the New Mexico School Insurance Authority, has contracted with Jerry Walz of the Albuquerque law firm Walz & Associates to represent the district in the suit.

Walz said an answer to the lawsuit was filed on behalf of the school district May 9.

According to Walz, a legal answer in layman’s terms is where specific allegations in the lawsuit are addressed.

“I can’t discuss specifics because this is an active litigation,” Walz said. “But I can say the allegations have been denied.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for the plaintiffs, a juvenile child of Meredith and Dustin Siefert and a juvenile child of Natalee and Joe Christensen.

The suit, filed by Portales attorney Eric Dixon, alleges negligent operation of the high school, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, violation of their civil rights, punitive damages under the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, and for reasonable attorney’s fees.

The legal action centers on events from an honors English class that also led to the teacher’s resignation in February.

The English teacher mentioned in the lawsuit, Kelly Cradock, resigned Feb. 18.

Cradock has declined to be interviewed or discuss her reasons for resigning.